Alhassan Ado Doguwa, chairman of the House of Representatives Downstream Petroleum Committee, said that 27 of the 31 All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders present backed Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo for Kano's deputy governorship after the resignation of Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo. In a Sunday release Doguwa praised Governor Engr. Abba Kabir, calling his decision to "humbly and willingly concede his constitutional right and powers to the legacy component of the old APC under the leadership of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje" commendable. He added that the governor also offered three commissioner slots to their group, describing the gesture as "unprecedented and the first of its kind in history."
Doguwa noted that the meeting, presided over by Dr. Ganduje, resulted in "overwhelming support" for Garo, who was the party's deputy gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 general election and enjoys "the widest influence across the 44 LGAs of the state." He highlighted Garo's origin from Gwarzo Kabo federal constituency, the same area that produced the former Kwankwasiyya deputy governor.
While acknowledging a few dissenting voices, Doguwa said the legacy faction will submit three names to the governor, describing the two alternatives as "shadow nominees" or "space holders." He urged the governor to accept the "popular decision" and pledged collective support for the party's 2027 election campaign.
Governor Abba Kabir's willingness to set aside his constitutional prerogative and defer the deputy governorship to the party's legacy bloc is a rare display of intra‑party deference, signaling that the old guard still commands decisive leverage in Kano politics.
The endorsement of Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo by 27 of the 31 APC stakeholders reflects a calculated alignment with figures who possess entrenched grassroots networks; Garo's 2023 candidacy and his reach across all 44 local government areas make him a unifying choice for the legacy faction led by Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. The governor's concession of three commissioner posts further cements a quid‑pro‑quo arrangement that balances power between the state executive and the party's senior elders.
For ordinary Kano voters, the appointment could translate into continuity of policies championed by the legacy group, potentially affecting service delivery and local development projects that hinge on the deputy governor's influence in the 44 LGAs. The move also sets the stage for the APC's 2027 electoral strategy, as the party seeks to mobilise Garo's extensive support base to secure votes.
This episode mirrors a broader pattern in Nigerian politics where seasoned party stalwarts negotiate key appointments, using patronage and strategic concessions to preserve their relevance while shaping future electoral outcomes.
