Kano politics meeting involving Shettima, Ganduje and Gwarzo fuels fresh interest in the 2027 Kano North race

Kashim Shettima on Monday held a closed-door Kano politics meeting in Abuja with former Kano State Deputy Governor and immediate past Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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Sources familiar with the development said the meeting focused largely on political affairs in Kano North Senatorial District and wider party consultations within the All Progressives Congress.

Also present at the meeting were former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and the member representing Bichi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Abba Abubakar Kabir Bichi.

Details of the meeting emerged through a post shared on Gwarzo’s verified Facebook page shortly after the engagement.

Gwarzo, who is reportedly seeking to contest the Kano North Senatorial District seat in 2027, currently occupied by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, is believed to be intensifying consultations ahead of the APC primaries.

Political observers said the meeting may not be unconnected with ongoing manoeuvres surrounding the contest for the Kano North senatorial ticket.

In his Facebook post, Gwarzo confirmed the meeting and described the discussions as productive.

“Today, together with the former governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and the member representing Bichi Federal Constituency, Abba Abubakar Kabir Bichi, we met with the Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellency Kashim Shettima,” he wrote.

He added that the discussions centred on political developments in Kano North and broader party affairs.

“We discussed politics and political affairs in Kano North, and he wished us success and prosperity in our political journey,” Gwarzo stated.

The meeting came only days after Gwarzo was screened as an aspirant for the Kano North Senatorial District seat under the APC platform.

Kano North remains one of the most influential political blocs in Kano State, with several prominent APC figures from the zone expected to play key roles in the build-up to the 2027 elections.

Among leading political figures linked to the zone are Barau Jibrin, Ganduje, newly inaugurated Deputy Governor of Kano State Murtala Sule Garo, Abba Bichi and Gwarzo.

The latest Kano politics meeting also comes amid wider consultations and reported consensus-building efforts within the APC in Kano State.

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Another aspirant for the Kano North senatorial seat, Mahmoud Baba Bichi, recently withdrew from the race following reported intervention by Abba Yusuf aimed at preserving party unity ahead of the elections.