Shekarau Vs Zaura: Why Kano Central APC Senate Ticket Has Defied Consensus

The race for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket in Kano Central senatorial district has taken a new twist as one of the aspirants, Abdulsalam Abdulkarim Zaura, popularly known as AA Zaura, has rejected the consensus arrangement that endorsed former governor Ibrahim Shekarau.

Last week, six aspirants stepped down during a meeting convened by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in Abuja, declaring support for Shekarau, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in April. The move was presented as a unity pact to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

Zaura, who was APC’s candidate for the same seat in 2023, however described Shekarau’s endorsement as an imposition and an injustice, arguing that he had been in the race long before Shekarau joined the party and that he was not even invited to the reconciliation table.

He insisted that the APC constitution provides for open contest and vowed to continue his campaign for the ticket.

An aide to Zaura, Dahiru Ahmad Maihuddadu, told Daily Trust that, “He was not invited either officially or through any means to the consensus discussion, that is why he didn’t attend. It is obvious that his omission is deliberate.

“Zaura is not taking the contest as do or die affair, but he deserves some respect and recognition, even if he will not be given the ticket. The decision was even taken when he was mourning his father’s death who died last week.

“We will go back to God because we believe he will provide us with solution. We want justice to be done. Although some aggrieved supporters have started complaining and calling for defection, but Zaura has not decided so.

“But if we are not respected and not treated fairly, we will take the right decision at the right time,” he added.
Maihuddadu then insisted on holding direct primaries, saying they are optimistic of winning due to the sympathy he will get for unfair treatment if the primaries is held.

Shekarau, on his part, has called on Zaura to work with him in the interest of party unity, stressing that consensus was reached to avoid internal divisions and to present a strong candidate for Kano Central.

Shekarau’s Campaign Director, Dr Umar Musa Mustapha, said, “Shekarau is a very kind and humble person. We want to work with him because we know how important he is politically. So we are appealing to him to support Shekarau.

“I wouldn’t want us to go to primaries before reaching a consensus, but if he insists, he has the right. But we are still optimistic of winning even if the primaries are held,” he added.

Political observers say the development sets up a possible showdown between Shekarau, backed by the governor and other aspirants, and Zaura, who commands significant grassroots support and financial influence.

Kano Central remains one of the most strategic senatorial districts in Nigeria due to its population, and the outcome of the APC ticket contest is expected to shape the broader political dynamics in the state ahead of 2027. (Daily trust)