President Tinubu holds private meetings with Ganduje and Badaru amid political shifts in Kano and Jigawa, as APC braces for 2027 elections

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu held separate closed-door meetings on Tuesday with former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and former Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar.

Also read: Pensioners Commend Tinubu at 74, Highlight ₦700bn Reform Impact

The discussions with the APC leaders from Kano and Jigawa States come amid significant political realignments expected to influence the ruling party’s fortunes ahead of the 2027 general election.

In Kano, opposition parties celebrated the defection of former 2023 presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Democratic Congress (ADC).

Kwankwaso joined the ADC along with members of his Kwankwasiya Movement in a ceremony attended by party chieftains on Monday.

The 2023 APC governorship candidate, Yusuf Gawuna, has also joined the ADC, raising concerns that additional prominent APC members in Kano could follow suit.

Analysts have attributed the turmoil in Kano APC to a power struggle between long-standing members and Governor Abba Yusuf, who joined the party two months ago.

Though the contents of President Tinubu’s meeting with Ganduje at Aso Rock remain undisclosed, the former APC national chairman is expected to play a pivotal role in consolidating the party’s influence in Kano and in facilitating the emergence of a new deputy governor following the resignation of Aminu Gwarzo, a Kwankwaso loyalist who defected to the ADC.

In Jigawa, reports have suggested that Badaru Abubakar and his supporters may defect to the ADC, following disagreements with Governor Namadi over party structures.

The dispute reportedly contributed to the failure of Badaru’s nominee, Bashir Gumel, to secure the position of APC National Financial Secretary at the party’s recent national convention.

While some loyalists are said to have defected, Badaru has not publicly indicated any intention to leave the APC.

Also read: Tinubu Returns to Abuja After Eid, UK Visit

Political analysts say the coming days will clarify the outcomes of President Tinubu’s meetings and whether Ganduje and Badaru can ensure APC remains cohesive in Kano and Jigawa despite the mounting pressure from the ADC.