Ahead of the nomination of a candidate to fill the vacant deputy governorship seat in Kano State, former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Murtala Sule Garo, has secured overwhelming support from key stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

The consensus in favour of Garo reportedly emerged during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting convened by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Saturday evening.

Findings indicate that Garo secured about 90 per cent endorsement from party leaders and influential figures present at the meeting held at the Government House.

The meeting, according to sources familiar with the proceedings, was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen party unity and consolidate governance structures in the state.

The development follows the resignation of former Deputy Governor, Abdussalam Aminu Gwarzo, which created the vacancy the administration is now seeking to fill through consultations with key political blocs.

Sources disclosed that the governor had requested the APC’s “old bloc” to nominate three credible individuals for consideration. From the list, Garo emerged as the preferred candidate ahead of other nominees, including Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, Managing Director of the Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, and Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, who represents Rano/Kibiya/Bunkure Federal Constituency.

Sources emphasised that the submission of three names was in line with the governor’s directive and does not indicate any division within the bloc.

Despite the inclusive nomination process, deliberations at the meeting reportedly produced a near-consensus in favour of Garo.

Prominent stakeholders who endorsed his candidacy include former Kano State Governor and ex-APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; former Deputy Governor and ex-Minister of State for Housing, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo; Abubakar Kabir Bichi; and Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila.

Other APC chieftains who supported Garo’s nomination include Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Bunkure; Senator Garba Lado; Abdulrahman Abdullahi Zaura; former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly and current member representing Dambatta/Makoda Federal Constituency, Hamisu Ibrahim Chidari; House of Representatives member, Alhassan Ado Doguwa; Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa; and Abdullahi Sani Rogo, among others.

Stakeholders attributed their support to Garo’s extensive political experience, administrative competence, and strong grassroots network across the state.

During the meeting, Doguwa reportedly highlighted Garo’s political trajectory, noting that he served as Organising Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2007, Special Adviser during the administration of former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and later as Chairman of Kabo Local Government Area, where he also served as Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Kano State.

Following the formation of the APC in 2014, Garo became its pioneer State Organising Secretary in Kano, before serving two consecutive terms as Commissioner for Local Government from 2015 to 2023. He was also the party’s deputy governorship candidate in the 2023 elections.

Sources said the preference for Garo over other nominees was partly influenced by the fact that Bichi and Rurum currently occupy significant public offices and are actively contributing in those roles.

Garo, who is not currently holding any public office after the 2023 elections, was widely considered the most suitable candidate to assume the position without disrupting existing institutional arrangements.

Political observers believe his potential emergence could strengthen internal cohesion within the APC in Kano State and enhance governance stability.

With consultations concluded, attention now shifts to the governor’s final decision, which is expected to reflect both political and administrative considerations in shaping the state’s leadership.