The political tension brewing in the Kano North Senatorial District ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries has been laid to rest as major contenders for the seat finally agreed on a consensus candidate for the 2027 election.

The development came as former Minister of State for Housing, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, agreed to withdraw from the race to pave the way for the return of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, to the National Assembly.

The resolution, brokered by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf yesterday along side other top APC chieftains, including former National Chairman of the party, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, among others, had earlier failed to produce a positive outcome during a consensus meeting held at the Government House.

In a video clip released by officials of the state government, Gwarzo announced his withdrawal from the race, saying the decision was taken in the interest of peace and unity within the party.

Gwarzo, a former deputy governor, expressed confidence in the leadership of Governor Yusuf, who brokered the peaceful resolution that led to the consensus arrangement, and pledged to support Barau’s candidacy for the victory of the APC in Kano.

The former minister also applauded the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and top APC stakeholders that led to his final decision to step down from the senatorial race, promising to mobilise support for the President’s re-election in Kano.

Responding to Gwarzo’s withdrawal, Senator Barau, in the video clip circulated on social media, commended the sacrifice made by his contender. Barau also applauded Governor Yusuf for restoring peace and harmony within the party, while pledging to rededicate himself to the development of the APC.

The consensus meeting which ought to have favored the ranking senator Barau Jibrin who was said to have secured the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for an automatic ticket ended in stalemate after a counter opposition refused to accept the proposition.

The opposition include the majority of APC chieftains in Kano North, among them are members of the House of Representatives from the district and members of the State House of Assembly from the zone, except one, all united behind Gwarzo candidature.

He was also believed to have enjoyed the backing of Ganduje and the Deputy Governor, Murtala Sule Garo, who recently secured the number two seat against against a candidate allegedly sponsored by the Deputy Senate President.

The former minister, who had obtained the party’s nomination form for the Kano North Senatorial District, had vowed to reclaim the seat from Senator Barau, at the party primaries. He (Gwarzo) accused Barau of orchestrating his replacement in the Federal Executive Council with former Speaker Yusuf Abdullahi Ata.