BREAKING: Gwarzo emerges NDC guber candidate, as Gawuna accepts Senate deal

The path appears to have cleared for the immediate past Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, to emerge as the governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), following indications that his main rival, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, has accepted the party’s offer of a senatorial ticket.

A close associate of Gawuna and former Special Adviser, Tahir Ahmad, confirmed that the former deputy governor had agreed to contest for the Kano Central Senatorial seat on the platform of the NDC.

The development is expected to bring an end to weeks of internal consultations within the Kwankwasiyya movement led by former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, over the emergence of a consensus governorship candidate.

Sources within the movement had earlier disclosed that Kwankwaso favoured Gwarzo for the governorship ticket while offering Gawuna either the deputy governorship position or the Kano Central Senate ticket.

Gawuna’s reported acceptance of the senatorial offer has now effectively paved the way for Gwarzo’s emergence as the party’s governorship flagbearer ahead of the 2027 elections.

Party insiders said the formal announcement of the consensus arrangement, which had been delayed due to Gawuna’s hesitation over the available options, is expected imminently.

The NDC has recently emerged as a major opposition force in Kano State following Kwankwaso’s defection to the party alongside a serving senator, four members of the House of Representatives and several members of the State House of Assembly.

If formally confirmed, Gwarzo is expected to face his former principal, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, in what observers believe could become one of the most fiercely contested governorship races in Kano State.

Both politicians had jointly secured the governorship ticket of the New Nigeria People’s Party ahead of the 2023 elections before political realignments placed them on opposing sides.

Gwarzo resigned from office last month after the Kano State House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against him over allegations of financial misconduct.

The former deputy governor has consistently denied wrongdoing, insisting that his resignation should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt.

Political observers also noted that Gwarzo’s refusal to follow Governor Yusuf into the All Progressives Congress may have contributed to the political tensions surrounding him.

Meanwhile, Kwankwaso has announced that the NDC will formally affirm all its candidates in Kano State today, from the State House of Assembly to the presidential ticket.

In a video message circulated among party supporters, the Kwankwasiyya leader said all disputes over party tickets had been resolved through consensus, with former aspirants agreeing to work together in the interest of party unity and electoral success.

According to him, the consensus arrangement was designed to strengthen the party ahead of the elections and avoid internal divisions capable of weakening its chances at the polls.

The announcement appears to confirm that lingering disagreements over key positions, particularly the governorship ticket, have now been settled within the party leadership.

With Gawuna reportedly agreeing to pursue the Senate seat and the party preparing to ratify its candidates, political attention has shifted to the anticipated formal unveiling of Gwarzo as the NDC governorship candidate for Kano State.

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