Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibril, endorsed Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Monday to run for a second term in office.

The endorsement came shortly after Governor Yusuf officially declared his ambition to rejoin the ruling APC, along with 44 council chairmen, 22 members of the state assembly, and 9 federal lawmakers who had earlier quit their membership of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP).

While welcoming the return of the governor to APC, Ganduje, a two-term governor, declared unwavering support for the party’s platform in support of Yusuf’s re-election in 2027.

Ganduje emphasised that, in accordance with the APC constitution, Governor Yusuf automatically remains the party leader in Kano, as he assured unalloyed loyalty to his leadership.

“You are most welcome to APC and back to your home, because we started and formed APC together with you. But due to political differences, you went on a political journey to PDP, NNPP, and are now back to APC.

“We know Governor Yusuf as a progressive politician through your disposition, good policies, and how he has transformed and implemented his policies for development in Kano. APC is 100 per cent with you. We assure you that we will support you to return for the second term in 2027,” Ganduje assured.

Also, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibril, while on his turn, expressed similar support for Governor Yusuf’s second-term bid in 2027. In what appeared to be a united front behind Governor Yusuf, the Senator representing Kano North also joined Dr. Ganduje to back the second-term bid.

While declaring his return to APC, Governor Yusuf explained that his decision to decamp to APC was born out of shared interests, devoid of personal aggrandizement, and with a renewed intention to build a stable and peaceful state for overall developmental growth.

Although Governor Yusuf affirmed that he would be realigning from NNPP to APC, he reminded that his political ideology would not be altered at the expense of any other interest. Yusuf, who still appeared in his Kwankwasiyya red cap, assured commitment to good government and the empowerment of Kano people.

According to Yusuf, “My return to APC is born out of genuine intention and the ultimate necessity to work closely with the Federal government and President Bola Tinubu to attract development to Kano. It is a bold decision to support President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda to strengthen our social, economic and infrastructure development.”

“My decision to join APC was not driven by personal or political exigencies. The choice was to build stability, not disaster, and progress, not disunity. Kano cannot remain in isolation and stagnation. We must move ahead to enhance further development,” Yusuf added.

Earlier, APC Chairman in Kano, Prince Abdullahi Abbas, welcomed Governor Yusuf to the ruling party while assuring members of total loyalty to the party leader in Kano.

He said the return of Yusuf will further accelerate unity and progress in the party while calling on members to register their membership in the ongoing e-registration exercise.

The event attracted two Ministers of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Bunkure, and the State for Housing, Abdullahi Ata, along with members of the national and state assemblies, APC leaders, former political appointees, and members of the Kwankwasiyya movement who defected to the APC with the Governor.

Meanwhile, Kano Commissioner for Youth Development, Mustapha Musa Kwankwaso, resigned from his appointment in the State Executive Council. Mustapha, the eldest son of the leader of Kwankwasiyya, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, resigned on Monday.

Kwankwaso said the decision was taken with a “heavy heart,” expressing gratitude to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for the opportunity to serve the people of Kano State.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for the opportunity to serve the great people of Kano State. I have cherished the experiences and lessons gained while serving, and I appreciate the trust placed in me.”

The former commissioner also urged that the youth of Kano State continue to receive the support and attention they deserve. He noted that his time in office provided valuable experiences and lessons, and appreciated the confidence reposed in him by the governor.

The former commissioner also offered prayers for sustained support for the youth of Kano State, stressing the importance of continued investment in youth empowerment and sports development.

Mustapha became the second member of the cabinet to resign from Governor Yusuf’s administration after the resignation of the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar-Mata.