The immediate-past deputy governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam, is set to be unveiled as the consensus governorship candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) by the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
It is learnt that the decision to back Abdussalam followed a series of closed-door consultations within the Kwankwasiyya movement and among key political allies.
The choice comes months after Abdussalam resigned as deputy governor in March, weeks after the Kano State House of Assembly served him with an impeachment notice.
Recall that Kwankwaso left the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) weeks ago for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and eventually moved with former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi to the NDC, where he is expected to run as Obi’s running mate for president in 2027.
Nasiru Gawuna, a former All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the 2023 election, was initially considered a strong contender for the NDC ticket. However, Kwankwaso settled for Abdussalam on Wednesday.
According to sources, Kwankwaso proposed either the deputy governorship slot or the Kano Central Senatorial ticket to Gawuna. The former APC governorship candidate reportedly declined both offers, but pledged to work for the success of the party.
It is understood that said Gawuna told Kwankwaso that he joined the Kwankwasiyya movement unconditionally, and would therefore not leave because he did not get the governorship ticket. Gawuna’s rejection of the offer has reportedly delayed the formal announcement of Abdussalam on Wednesday, amid mounting pressure from some influential figures urging Kwankwaso to reconsider based on Gawuna’s electoral strengths.
Insiders promoting Gawuna’s candidacy argued that the ideal candidate to defeat Governor Abba Yusuf should come from Kano Central.
“First, Gawuna is very popular in Kano Central, where majority of the votes come from. Secondly, since Abba is from Kano Central, and is serving his first term office, the best solution is to field a candidate from the zone, so that the zone may not feel shortchanged. This is the same principle the NDC applied at the national level by zoning presidency to the South since a southern president is serving his first term in office,” said an insider who preferred anonymity.
However, those supporting Abdussalam countered that the former deputy governor had shown uncommon commitment and loyalty.
