Kano set for another political realignment as Shekarau considers return to APC

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

The political atmosphere in Kano may be set for another realignment as there are strong indications that former Governor of the state, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau is perfecting plans to rejoin the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

Shekarau, a former Minister of Education, was part of the team that drafted the maiden constitution of the APC when it was formed.

But he later dumped the party, as a result of what he described as intra-party crises, and defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP).

But going by the latest political alignment and re-alignment, particularly, in Kano state, our correspondent authoritatively gathered that the former Governor, who defeated Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso as a sitting Governor in 2003, is considering going back to APC, a party he contributed to its formation.

Even though it was learnt that some chieftains of the African Democratic Party (ADC), including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Defence Minister, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, have approached Shekarau, giving him cogent reasons he should join the opposition, those who are close to him confided to our Correspondent that Shekarau is not comfortable working with Senator Kwankwaso in the same political party.

One of Shekarau’s associate who confided in our Correspondent said: “You are aware that His Excellency, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau and Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso have a long history of political disagreement.

“I do not think they can comfortably work together in the same political platform. They have a wide gap of ideological difference. They don’t always think in the same direction politically. So, it will be difficult for Malam Shekarau to join ADC, even though they have been making overtures to him.”

Also, the same source confirmed that Atiku Abubakar has severally approached Shekarau to join him in the ADC.

Shekarau was in-charge of Atiku’s campaign in Kano during the 2023 presidential election.

It was through Shekarau’s effort that Atiku was able to gather reasonable number of votes during the 2023 election in Kano.

However, our Correspondent also gathered that already, the APC National Secretariat has constituted a delegation that will officially woo Shekarau into the party.

This is just as former Governor of Kano state and immediate-past National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has been having serious talks with Shekarau on the need for him to rejoin the APC.

A source close to Shekarau confirmed Ganduje’s overtures to him on the need for him to rejoin the APC.

According to him, “Malam Shekarau and Ganduje are close associates, even though they belong to different political parties. The two leaders have mutual respect for each other.

“I can confirm to you that lately, they have been having a series of meetings centred on the need for Malam Shekarau to come back to APC, a party he built from the scratch.”

Our Correspondent authoritative gathered that the APC delegation, to be led by its National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, is expected to visit Shekarau in Kano, next week Tuesday.

A reliable source confided in our Correspondent that, already, arrangements have been completed to visit Shekarau with the intention of luring him to rejoin the APC.

More so, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his recent meeting with Ganduje, tasked him to do everything possible to ensure that the APC is strengthened in Kano.

Shekarau, two-time Governor of Kano state and once a Senator, representing Kano Central Senatorial District, is believed to have large followership in the state.

Commenting on the development, one of his ardent supporters who served as Special Adviser during his second term as Governor, Shu’ayb Mustapha said: “APC is the party Shekarau toiled to build; and I see nothing wrong if he eventually decides to rejoin the party.”