Kano Political Tensions Rise as APC Group Warns of Fallout Ahead of 2027 Elections.
By Sulaiman Hussaini Kano, Democracy Newsline
March 25, 2026.
A growing political rift is unfolding in Kano State as the group known as NEW APC Ambassadors, representing all 44 local government areas, has openly criticized the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, describing it as a “one-term government” amid allegations of exclusion and neglect.
The position of the group was made known by its leader, Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu, during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Kano, where party loyalists gathered to assess the current political climate and map out strategies ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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The group’s message reflects deep frustration among grassroots members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who claim they have been sidelined despite their longstanding presence in the state’s political structure.
According to Dawakin Kudu, the NEW APC Ambassadors is a well-structured political movement with representation from state level down to polling units, boasting over 500, 000 members across Kano. The group, he said, was formed shortly after the Supreme Court ruling that affirmed Governor Yusuf’s election victory.
However, he lamented that since its formation, the group has received “no recognition, support, or engagement” from the current administration.
At the heart of the group’s grievance is what it describes as preferential treatment given to members of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), the ruling party in Kano, at the expense of APC loyalists.
“They met us in our political home, yet we are treated as strangers,” Dawakin Kudu stated, warning that such exclusion could have serious electoral consequences.
He further accused past APC leadership in the state, under Abdullahi Abbas, of ignoring repeated requests for engagement, despite several formal communications submitted by the group.
The group also expressed disappointment with prominent political leaders, including Deputy Senate President Barau I Jibrin, whom they initially praised for supporting APC members in Kano.
Despite this acknowledgment, Dawakin Kudu noted that the group had sent more than ten letters to Jibrin’s office without receiving any response. He added that promises allegedly made during Ramadan and Eid celebrations were not fulfilled.
Similar concerns were raised about Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, who, according to the group, failed to acknowledge their outreach efforts—even after submissions were made in Abuja.
The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, was also mentioned. The group claimed that despite requesting formal communication and receiving multiple letters, no response or meeting was granted.
Dawakin Kudu further alleged that attempts to reach Governor Yusuf through his political adviser, Mustapha Hamza Buhari Bakwana, were unsuccessful. He suggested that internal political dynamics may have hindered communication, noting Bakwana’s defection from APC to NNPP.
While acknowledging these challenges, the group insisted that its demands are rooted in fairness, inclusion, and recognition of grassroots contributions.
Looking toward the 2027 elections, the group issued a strong warning: unless their concerns are addressed, they may withdraw electoral support from key political offices in Kano State.
Dawakin Kudu stated that while the group remains committed to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term, it may oppose the re-election of the Kano State governor, as well as senators and legislators perceived as unresponsive.
“We are ready to mobilize politically,” he said. “But if our value continues to be ignored, we will reconsider our position.”
He also hinted at the possibility of members aligning with “anti-party” movements if necessary reforms are not made within the APC structure in Kano.
In a significant development, the group revealed it is currently reconsidering its grassroots mobilization campaign in support of APC across Kano State, pending changes in leadership approach and engagement.
Political analysts note that such a move, if sustained, could influence voter sentiment in a state known for its complex and highly competitive political landscape.
As Kano’s political actors begin early calculations for 2027, the grievances raised by the NEW APC Ambassadors highlight a broader issue in Nigerian politics: the struggle for inclusion, recognition, and internal cohesion within party structures.
Whether these concerns will be addressed—or deepen existing divides—remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the road to 2027 in Kano State is already taking shape, and it may be anything but smooth.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, MARCH 25TH 2026)
