Minister Ata’s Opinion on Kano 2027: My Perspective

By Abba Anwar

As everyone is entitled to his own opinion and perspective under democratic dispensation, Honourable Minister of State, Housing, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, has every right to talk or not to talk.

His postulation, if at all he really said that, on how All Progressives Congress (APC) and its principal actors, if you like, suppose to behave in the forthcoming general elections of 2027, is primarily his own calculation of how victorious the party could emerge.

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This stand was reported in some sections of the media, our local media, at best, in Kano. Saying that he granted an interview with Freedom Radio, Kano. Up to the time I was writing this piece, there was no rebuttal from him.

He is at the same time, trying to inform party people that, the points of attraction are Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, former Deputy Governor and Gubernatorial candidate of 2023 election, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna and his running mate then, Murtala Sule Garo, when it comes to jostling for gubernatorial seat.

2027: INEC to begin online voter pre-registration August 18 2027: APC Detached from Grassroots – Kaduna PDP Chair His opinion suggests that, Senator Barau is a good material for governorship position, while Gawuna and Garo, could best fit Senatorial positions, from Kano Central and Kano North respectively.

I cannot say the Honourable Minister goofed, but his view should attempt to clarify his very stand at this critical stage of the party’s trial and survival in the state.

I am extremely happy that the Minister acknowledges that there is no in-fight between Barau and Garo. This acknowledgement alone is worth celebrating. Meaning, in my view, Hon Ata’s position, is honestly engaging and soundly spoken.

Yes Senator Barau is capable of ruling Kano as a governor, as postulated by the Minister. But I want the Minister to also look at the other side of the coin. That, limiting the DSP to Kano always, is closing eyes to other opportunities he can comfortably occupy and perform wonders.

In one of my recent write-ups I also acknowledged that, the Deputy Senate President alongside, H.E. Gawuna and H.E. Garo, are the only three elements, in my own estimation, for now, that can beat the ruling New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) in Kano.

Apart from these three individuals, as each has his own added advantage over the other, I doubt much if there exists any dark horse for 2027 gubernatorial race in Kano.

Coming back to Minister’s account of Senator Barau and Kano gubernatorial race, come 2027, his view appears good flamboyant and embroidery, but to me, Barau has since become a national figure in today’s political chemistry. Take it or leave it.

Depending on how APC arranges the power sharing come 2027. If it appears that, Vice Presidential position will come from Igbo states, in order to woo them and cripple Peter Obi’s political strength and relevance, then DPS Barau, can be facilitated to become our next Senate President. No doubt about this, if the situation warrants.

Giving Vice Presidential slot to South East, will automatically change the political atmosphere of the Igbos. They will begin to see themselves closer to power, Presidency at best. Because any right thinking Nigerian knows that, Igbos alone, cannot make it to Presidency. They need political marriage, alliances and realignments. No ethnic group in Nigeria is an island on its own.

Mr Minister, my Minister, should also elaborate this scenario, that, DSP Barau can be elavated to higher fixable position like, Vice Presidential seat.

Depending on how the arrangement will be, come 2027 general elections. I mean when it comes to strategizing for victory. If internal misunderstanding among party stalwarts in Kano is settled and political organization goes well, then the output will for sure be result – oriented.

Come to think of this, in 2023 presidential election, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu got 517,341 votes in Kano state and Borno state gave him 252, 282 votes. In this official Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) result, Kano’s votes almost doubles votes from Borno.

North West geopolitical zone gave Tinubu 2,652,235 votes. While North East geo-political zone, where Borno state is located, the zone of the Vice-Presidential candidate then, gave Tinubu 1,185,458. Which was not even half of what North West gave him.

I am giving the above scenarios to argue against those saying if the current Vice President, His Excellency Kashim Shettima is dropped and be replaced with Senator Barau, Tinubu could loose votes from Borno first and from North East in general. It is just a statement, it isn’t an automatic result backed by the electorate assurances.

While in North West there are seven states, North East has six states. And the votes from Kano state alone, given to Tinubu, are higher than votes from North East’s three states of Gombe with 146,977 votes, Taraba state with 135,165 votes and Yobe state with 151,459 votes.

While the establishment of North West Development Commission by President Tinubu alone, can help in securing more votes for him in the region, DSP’s handwork in establishing the Commission is acknowledged by our people. Meaning, he has goodwill support from across the region. This is just it. Among many other things he delivers for the development of the region. People are waiting for opportunities to appreciate him.

What this piece is saying in essence is, if President Tinubu can straighten, empower real APC heavyweights and reconcile, with all honesty, those seen not to be on the same page in Kano’s political power play, he should be assured of getting more votes and above all, if life of ordinary citizens is made easier and affordable.

Depending in where the pendulum swings, yes Minister Ata’s projection has its merit and substance, but Gawuna – Garo ticket is Kano is still attractive, relevant and catchy.

Also, still depending on where the pendulum swings, Garo – Gawuna arrangement can also hold water. No doubt about this. Agreed Gawuna and Garo need each other. On the flip side of it also, Barau needs them all.

Least I forget, with the covert operations I’m aware of and the ones I only eavesdrop, there have been moves on ground that are working and reconciling powerful elements in the party. Barau and Garo are indeed seeing face to face to each other. Unlike before, when pretenders were misusing the stage through these two gentlemen.

We all knew the fatherly role played by the former Governor of the state, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje CON, when at a point in time, Garo was made the Director General of Barau Campaign Organization. And also when Ganduje dropped his ambition to become Senator, which gave Barau hitch – free ground for the race.

Since then some few individuals took it upon themselves to continue with the mission. I will not conclude this piece without mentioning one gentleman, former Special Adviser to Governor Ganduje on Grassroot Mobilization, Yusuf Aliyu Tumfafi. An aspirant vying for state Chairman position of the party. Whom I believe could mend all rival factions and fences within the party when he gets the chance.

If it is still the Tinubu I knew before now, that was at the late 90s during military junta, when I was volunteering for Dr Tunji Abayomi’s Nigerianity Movement and later Human Rights Africa, that time, we got strategic wisdom that was inspiring from Tinubu’s actions and strategies on fighting military rule, then I’m sure Mr President will not afford to lose Kano through inactions.

One of the best thing in my opinion, is let President Tinubu understand that Gawuna and Garo still exist in Kano. Being closer to power, will automatically change many narratives. While at the same time Mr President should also study Senator Barau very well and have deeper understanding of him.

I still do not see the impossibility of Senator Barau becoming Vice President come 2027 or Senate President or any other position President Tinubu deems fit.

While I may share similar view with Minister Ata, but I periscope time and space from a wider standpoint. It all depends on which side of the prism one stands and projects.

Anwar writes from Kano
Friday, 1st August, 2025

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