Tinubu deploys party leaders to stop Kano APC guber candidate’s planned defection to ADC

Former Deputy Governor of Kano and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, has rattled Kano APC amid reports of a planned defection to the Kwankwasiyya movement and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The development has reportedly prompted President Bola Tinubu to direct some top leaders of the APC to stop the planned defection.

Party sources said Gawuna’s reported plan to align with Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano state, is aimed at challenging Governor Abba Yusuf in the 2027 governorship election.

The potential defection is said to have unsettled the APC in Kano while generating excitement within the Kwankwasiyya political movement.

Party insiders said Gawuna has been largely unreachable in recent days, fuelling speculation about ongoing political consultations outside Nigeria.

Sources said efforts by key stakeholders in the APC to reach him have so far been unsuccessful as he was said to have travelled to Saudi Arabia during Ramadan to perform the lesser hajj (Umrah).

The sources added that days after the end of Ramadan, the former deputy governor had yet to return to Nigeria.

A source familiar with his movements said Gawuna subsequently travelled to a North African country for a private vacation.

The source added that Gawuna placed his phone on “Do Not Disturb” mode to avoid pressure and repeated calls from party leaders attempting to stop his planned defection.

Some APC politicians who spoke with reporters said they had been unable to reach him since news of his alleged plan to leave the party began circulating on social media.

Party insiders also said the APC is considering offering Gawuna an automatic ticket for the Kano central senatorial district in the 2027 election if he agrees to remain in the party.

A source quoted by Daily Nigerian said: “The president is concerned about Gawuna’s defection plan. He is made to understand that not only Governor Yusuf’s second term ambition is at stake but the president’s support base in Kano.”

Political analysts said Gawuna remains one of the most formidable opposition figures capable of challenging the incumbent government in the state.

Aminu Bashir, a political commentator, said: “If Kwankwaso gives Gawuna governorship ticket, it will be a game over. Gawuna has a large support base among the youth, the ulama and business community.

“Apart from this, the APC will be further divided as most of the traditional supporters of the party will vote for Gawuna. So if you merge Gawuna’s political capital with Kwankwaso’s commanding support base, it will be a landslide win.”

Gawuna, who polled more than 800,000 votes in the 2023 governorship election, is said to have been sidelined within the APC since the poll.

Supporters of the former deputy governor have also expressed concerns over what they describe as his marginalisation within the APC since the 2023 election.

Some of his loyalists have also raised concerns about the reported non-payment of his entitlements as a former deputy governor by the state government.