Gov. Yusuf faces dilemma over deputy governor choice amid mounting presidency pressure

Governor Abba Yusuf is facing a growing political dilemma over the selection of a new deputy governor, as competing interests within the All Progressives Congress, APC, intensify ahead of his meeting with Kano lawmakers at Government House on Monday night.

The latest consultations follow his visit last week to former governor Abdullahi Ganduje in Abuja, a move sources say was aimed at consolidating ties with the party’s old guard.

Party insiders say both Mr Ganduje and the Presidency are backing former Commissioner for Local Government, Murtala Sule Garo, as the preferred candidate. However, the push has met resistance from influential camps in Kano North and Kano South, led by Senators Barau Jibrin and Kawu Sumaila, who are advocating a three-man shortlist instead of a single nominee.

Among those allegedly opposed to Mr Garo’s nomination is former APC state chairman Abdullahi Abbas. His opposition is based on concerns over political imbalance as Mr Garo hails from the same local government area as Senator Barau. In addition to this, it’s argued, Kano North already has a minister, Mariya Bunkure.

Beyond zoning concerns, critics have also raised legal issues surrounding Mr Garo, noting that he—alongside Mr Ganduje and others—is facing corruption charges filed by the Yusuf administration at the Kano State High Court. In addition, an appeal involving Mr Garo and his brothers is pending at the Court of Appeal in Suit No. K/133C/2024, filed by the Kano State Government on March 12, 2026.

Names said to be under consideration by Mr Barau’s camp include Salisu Sagir Takai and former Commissioner for Youths, Kabiru Lakwaya. Other sources, however, said the senator is also proposing a neutral contender in person of former Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Ahmed Garba Bichi.

The Kano South group, however, is proposing a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly and current member representing Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya Federal Constituency, Kabiru Rurum.

Sources revealed that the governor had earlier struck a deal with the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Jibrin Falgore, to nominate him as deputy governor if he and allied lawmakers defected to the APC. That arrangement, however, is now under strain following pressure from the Presidency.

DAILY NIGERIAN learnt that concerns are being raised over Mr Falgore’s limited political experience. Born in 1984 in Falgore village, he was first appointed as a local government councillor on the recommendation of his distant relative, Murtala Garo. From councillor, he become Speaker of the State House of Assembly.

This newspaper further gathered that lawmakers are insisting that Mr Falgore be made the deputy governor as earlier agreed. Assembly insiders said at least 28 of the 40 members of the Assembly are reportedly backing him.

Amid the push from the legislative bloc for Falgore, a higher directive emerged. According to impeccable sources, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reportedly directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to communicate his preference for Mr Garo to the governor. The Presidency’s stance is believed to be partly influenced by the recent exit of former APC governorship candidate, Nasiru Gawuna, from the party.

Mr Ganduje’s recent meeting with Mr Tinubu is said to have strengthened Mr Garo’s chances, with the former governor reportedly highlighting Mr Garo’s grassroots support and the danger of losing him to ADC.

Despite this, opposition within the party persists, with the governor making frantic efforts to placate the warring groups in search of a consensus candidate acceptable to all.

With pressure mounting from the Presidency, party leaders, and zonal blocs, the governor is said to be at a crossroads, weighing options that could make or mar his chances of securing a second term in 2027.