By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
Amid mounting political tension in Kano, President Bola Tinubu has intervened to prevent the defection of Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, the former deputy governor and 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to the Kwankwasiyya movement.
Mr. Gawuna, who is reportedly in discussions to align with Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, is considering a move to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 elections. The prospect of his departure has created significant unease within the Kano APC, while the Kwankwasiyya camp has greeted the development with enthusiasm.
According to Daily Nigerian, party insiders disclosed that Mr. Gawuna has been largely unreachable in recent days, fueling speculation about ongoing political consultations outside the country. Efforts by key stakeholders within the APC to reach him have reportedly been unsuccessful.
Sources disclosed that Mr. Gawuna travelled to Saudi Arabia during Ramadan to perform the lesser hajj (Umrah). However, days after the end of the holy month, he has yet to return to Nigeria. A source familiar with his movements said the former deputy governor subsequently proceeded on a private vacation to a North African country.
According to the source, Mr. Gawuna placed his phone on “Do Not Disturb” mode to avoid mounting pressure and persistent calls from party leaders seeking to dissuade him from leaving.
The political realignment has prompted Governor Abba Yusuf to seek presidential support to persuade Mr. Gawuna to remain in the APC. While details of the governor’s outreach remain unclear, insiders said Mr. Tinubu had delegated a powerful senator from Zamfara State, along with a presidential adviser, to lead the lobbying effort.
An insider also told Daily Nigerian that the APC is considering offering Mr. Gawuna an automatic ticket for the Kano Central Senatorial District in the 2027 elections if he agrees to stay.
“The president is concerned about Gawuna’s defection plan. He has been made to understand that not only Governor Yusuf’s second-term ambition is at stake, but also the president’s support base in Kano,” said a source familiar with the presidential directive.
Political analysts view Mr. Gawuna as one of the few figures capable of challenging the incumbency advantage in the state. “If Kwankwaso gives Gawuna the governorship ticket, it will be a game over. Gawuna has a large support base among the youth, the *ulama*, and the business community. If you merge Gawuna’s political capital with Kwankwaso’s commanding support base, it will be a landslide win,” said political pundit Aminu Bashir.
Mr. Gawuna, who secured over 800,000 votes in the 2023 governorship election, is perceived by his supporters to have been sidelined by the APC since his loss. “It is baffling for the APC to appoint someone who worked against the party as a minister and then relegate someone who polled over 800,000 votes to a board chairman,” said an APC stalwart who preferred not to be named.
Supporters of the former deputy governor have been vocal about what they describe as his marginalization, noting he has not been considered for major federal appointments or strategic party roles. There are also lingering grievances regarding the reported non-payment of his entitlements as a former deputy governor by the state government.
