Vice President Kashim Shettima says Kano is central to APC’s 2027 plans as Governor Abba Yusuf defects with lawmakers

Vice President Kashim Shettima declared on Monday that Kano State is pivotal to the All Progressives Congress’ electoral calculations for 2027, as Governor Abba Yusuf formally defected to the ruling party alongside dozens of lawmakers and local government chairmen.

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Speaking at a packed reception held at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kofar Mata, Shettima described Kano as too significant to remain on the sidelines of national politics.

The event marked a dramatic political shift, with 22 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, eight federal lawmakers and 44 local government chairmen joining the APC.

Shettima told supporters that full alignment of Kano with the ruling party would strengthen both state development and national electoral prospects.

The Vice President congratulated Yusuf for what he called a decisive move, noting that the state’s political weight makes it indispensable to the party’s ambitions.

Governor Yusuf stated that the decision to leave the New Nigeria People’s Party was motivated by the desire to accelerate development.

Yusuf said residents were more concerned with roads, hospitals and schools than prolonged political rivalry, adding that cooperation with the Federal Government would unlock new opportunities for Kano.

APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda reaffirmed the party’s 60 and 40 leadership-sharing formula, describing it as a mechanism designed to promote inclusiveness and unity between longstanding members and new entrants.

Yilwatda praised the turnout at the event as evidence of renewed momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.

Former Kano State Governor Dr Umar Ganduje and senior National Assembly leaders, including Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, were also present, signalling the strategic importance attached to the defection.

Political observers view the development as a powerful recalibration of northern politics, particularly after the APC lost Kano to the NNPP in the 2023 elections.

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With Shettima Kano APC 2027 calculations now openly emphasised, the ruling party appears determined to consolidate its influence in one of Nigeria’s most electorally significant states.