In a reversal of political fortunes that has reshaped the landscape of Northern Nigerian politics, the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, have reportedly thrown their weight behind Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s bid for a second term.
This unprecedented move, confirmed today, Monday, 26 January 2026, signals a “Grand Alliance” between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), aimed at stabilizing Kano State after years of intense political rivalry.
The news emerged following a high-level consultative meeting in Abuja and Kano. While Governor Yusuf remains the leader of the NNPP in the state, the backing from Ganduje and Barau suggests a strategic partnership for the 2027 General Elections.
Sources close to Ganduje suggest the decision is rooted in “peace and development.” After the legal battles of 2024-2025, the APC leadership reportedly believes that supporting a popular incumbent is the best way to prevent further social unrest in Kano.
As a key power broker in Kano North and a leading figure in the Senate, Barau’s endorsement carries significant weight with the APC grassroots, effectively merging the “Gawuna/Garo” base with the “Kwankwasiyya” movement.
All eyes are now on Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. Analysts believe this alliance could not have happened without a “behind-the-scenes” agreement between the two former governors to unite against a common third-party threat.
The move could end the bitter rivalry between the Ganduje and Kwankwaso factions that has polarized Kano for nearly a decade.
If the APC and NNPP run a “Joint Ticket” or a “Non-Aggression Pact” in Kano, it would make the state an almost impenetrable fortress for any other political party.
More so, with the threat of a primary or a hostile opposition removed, Governor Yusuf is expected to shift focus entirely toward his infrastructure and educational reform programs.
