Crisis in Kano APC: Why Internal Division May Cost the Party the 2027 Elections
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu Democracy Newsline on 10th November 2025.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State is currently enmeshed in a deepening internal crisis that threatens to tear the party apart ahead of the 2027 general elections. The rift, which has steadily intensified over the past months, pits supporters of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, against loyalists of the former National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
What began as a subtle disagreement over control of the party’s structure has now snowballed into a full-blown confrontation, with public accusations, counter-statements, and political realignments shaking the very foundation of the APC in Kano.
The trouble came to the surface when Hon. Bashir Yusuf Shuwaki, a close aide to Senator Barau Jibrin, reacted strongly to allegations being circulated against his principal by perceived loyalists of Dr. Ganduje. In a statement widely shared across media platforms, Shuwaki accused certain individuals within the party of deliberately tarnishing the image of Senator Barau by spreading falsehoods and propaganda.
“We have credible evidence,” Shuwaki said, “of how funds are being distributed to blackmail our leader. Since they have chosen to malign him publicly, we too will not remain silent. We will release video evidence to expose the truth.”
Shuwaki’s comments drew both support and criticism. While many within Barau’s camp applauded his courage, political analysts warned that such rhetoric could deepen divisions within the APC and weaken the party’s chances of retaining Kano in 2027.
Observers believe that the continued infighting could lead to devastating electoral losses. Kano, Nigeria’s most populous state after Lagos, has always been a political battleground and a determinant of national outcomes. The APC’s internal friction, if unresolved, could once again pave the way for opposition parties like the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to regain ground.
Political commentators note that while both Ganduje and Barau are formidable figures in Kano’s political landscape, the ongoing hostility between their loyalists is counterproductive. “Instead of consolidating their influence to rebuild the APC after the 2023 loss, they are fighting over supremacy,” one analyst said. “This could cost the party everything.”
Amid the growing tension, Engineer Abdullahi Garba Ramat, recently nominated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), was dragged into the controversy. Rumors circulated that he had fallen out with Senator Barau and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In a swift reaction, Ramat publicly dismissed the claims as false and baseless.
“I have nothing but respect and admiration for Senator Barau and Senator Akpabio,” he said in a statement. “Senator Barau was the first to call and congratulate me on my nomination. He has continued to show me support and goodwill.”
Ramat added that during the brief delay in his confirmation, Senator Barau personally took him to the Senate President to explain the situation. “Both leaders treated me with honor and fairness,” he said, warning those using his name for political propaganda to desist or face legal action.
His statement helped calm tensions temporarily, but the damage caused by misinformation and political mischief was already spreading fast.
Analysts suggest that some of the attacks on Senator Barau are driven by envy and the desire for relevance among lesser-known politicians. As one commentator put it:
“Certain individuals are deliberately trying to use Senator Barau’s popularity to remain politically visible. They stir controversy, make inflammatory statements, and ride on his name just to appear important.”
Such tactics, however, have done little to diminish Senator Barau’s standing among the people. His reputation for humility, philanthropy, and accessibility has earned him widespread admiration not only in Kano but across Nigeria.
Senator Barau Jibrin’s political journey is marked by consistency and results. Representing Kano North Senatorial District, he has initiated numerous development projects across the state—ranging from the construction of roads, bridges, and healthcare facilities to educational scholarships and agricultural empowerment programs.
His Barau Jibrin Foundation has directly supported thousands of Kano residents through various initiatives, including the distribution of financial aid, vehicles, and agricultural inputs. Recently, the Foundation disbursed ₦20,000 each to over 10,000 beneficiaries, underscoring his enduring commitment to grassroots empowerment.
Educationally, Senator Barau has sponsored postgraduate scholarships for Kano indigenes in emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Data Science, ensuring the state’s youth are equipped for the global digital economy.
Armed with a degree in Accounting and multiple Master’s degrees in Financial Management and Business Administration, Senator Barau stands out as a technocrat in the political space. As a former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations and now Deputy Senate President, his expertise in budgeting and economic planning has been instrumental in shaping national policy.
His leadership style—calm, inclusive, and result-oriented—contrasts sharply with the combative politics that have long characterized Kano’s political scene. Many see him as the bridge between tradition and modern governance, between grassroots politics and strategic national leadership.
Despite his exit as APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje remains a powerful figure in Kano politics. His loyalists continue to wield influence across local government structures. However, political insiders believe that only unity between Ganduje’s bloc and Barau’s supporters can guarantee the APC’s survival in the state.
Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu, a staunch APC member, echoed this sentiment in a statement, saying:
“No true APC member in Kano would insult Ganduje and claim it is politics. Whatever his mistakes, Ganduje remains a father figure in Kano politics. We must rally behind him and Senator Barau because our collective success in 2027 depends on unity.”
In 2023, the APC lost control of Kano to the NNPP largely due to internal disunity and arrogance. Senator Barau Jibrin was one of the few who managed to retain his seat through sheer popularity and people-centered politics. His ability to mobilize support across all senatorial districts remains unmatched.
If the APC repeats the same mistakes—undermining its strongest candidates and allowing ego to overshadow strategy—it may once again hand victory to the opposition on a platter.
Politics, at its core, is built on trust and cooperation. When these values are eroded by selfish ambition and mistrust, even the strongest political institutions crumble. For the APC in Kano, the message is clear: Senator Barau Jibrin is not the problem—he is the solution.
He represents a blend of competence, character, and capacity—qualities that Kano desperately needs in its next governor. If the APC truly seeks progress and victory in 2027, it must close ranks, end internal sabotage, and embrace unity under credible leadership.
For Kano, and indeed for the APC, Barau Jibrin stands as a symbol of hope, service, and genuine leadership. The question now is whether the party will recognize its greatest asset before it’s too late.
Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu can be reach via email balasalihudawakinkudu@gmail.com or 08060017934
