The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has intensified efforts to lure the 2023 All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Kano State, Nasiru Gawuna, to contest the 2027 governorship election on its platform.
The move is part of the party’s broader strategy to strengthen its footprint in key northern states ahead of the next general election.
Sources familiar with the development told this newspaper that top ADC stakeholders have been holding consultations with Mr. Gawuna’s close political allies to convince the former deputy governor to accept the ticket.
To sweeten the deal, the ADC has reportedly offered wide-ranging political concessions. These include reserving nominations for State House of Assembly and House of Representatives seats for loyalists within Gawuna’s camp.
Insiders also revealed that party leaders have assured Gawuna of robust financial backing to fund his campaign if he agrees to fly the party’s flag.
Former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and former Ambassador Faruk Yabo are reportedly among the prominent political actors spearheading the recruitment drive.
Although Gawuna’s camp has recently engaged in cross-party consultations—including tentative overtures to the dominant Kwankwasiyya political movement—sources say the ADC’s attractive offers have triggered fresh deliberations within his inner circle.
Meanwhile, the ADC has yet to officially declare the winner of its Kano governorship primary, which was contested by Ibrahim Khalil and Ibrahim Little. Sources link this delay to the ongoing high-level talks with Gawuna.
Gawuna, who served as deputy governor under the Abdullahi Ganduje administration, remains one of Kano’s most influential opposition figures, boasting a strong grassroots following across the state’s local government areas.
Political analysts believe his defection to the ADC could significantly alter the dynamics of the 2027 governorship race, presenting a formidable challenge to the incumbent administration.
Neither Mr. Gawuna nor national officials of the ADC were available for comment at the time of filing this report.
