Doguwa, Ganduje, others back Garo for Kano deputy gov seat

Former House of Representatives Majority Leader, Alhassan Doguwa; the immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje; and several key party figures have endorsed a former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Murtala Garo, to emerge as the next Deputy Governor of Kano State.

Doguwa disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.

The APC chieftain said the endorsement was reached at a late-night strategy meeting on Saturday, where party leaders reportedly rallied support for Garo.

The former commissioner was said to have secured about 90 per cent support from attendees.

Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, Doguwa urged Governor Abba Yusuf to consider Garo, describing him as a loyal and experienced politician.

“Garo is the most suitable candidate. He has remained consistent, patient, and loyal. This is the kind of support the governor needs at a critical time,” he declared.

The move comes two weeks after the resignation of the former Deputy Governor, Abdussalam Gwarzo, which created a vacancy in the state’s top hierarchy.

Although three names—Garo, Rabiu Bichi, and Kabiru Rurum—were initially presented, the statement said deliberations tilted in Garo’s favour, with near-unanimous backing.

Other stakeholders said to have endorsed him include former Deputy Governor and ex-Minister of State for Housing, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, as well as several party chieftains.

Prior to the endorsement, Garo had served as National Organising Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2007, Special Adviser to a former Kano governor, Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, and a two-term commissioner.

He was also the APC deputy governorship candidate in the 2023 election.

Stakeholders expressed optimism that his emergence would strengthen party unity and stabilise the political landscape in Kano State.