Kano dep gov: Ganduje, Barau camps intensify battle on social media

The delay in appointing the new deputy governor in Kano State by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is gradually taking a new dimension. Prior to that, various interest groups were pushing their nominees for the number two position in the state. Topmost are the camps of the immediate past All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman and […]

The delay in appointing the new deputy governor in Kano State by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is gradually taking a new dimension.

Prior to that, various interest groups were pushing their nominees for the number two position in the state.

Topmost are the camps of the immediate past All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman and former Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and that of Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin.

However, the battle seems to be taking a new dimension lately with members of each camp openly attacking each other on social media over their choices to the extent that many are wondering is if they belong to different political parties.

The online exchanges highlight the deepening divisions within the ruling APC in Kano following Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo’s resignation.

Abubakar Jafar Tijjani, one of Barau’s aides posted on Tuesday, “Now, if the Governor decides to appoint Murtala as his Deputy, how will he handle the [corruption] case he filed against him. What will he tell the people of Kano State? Come on, think about it.“

On his part, a Barau supporter, Kamaleddin Ado Zugachi, said, “In the whole of Kano APC, from top to bottom, whosoever dares point an accusing finger at Senator Barau, we won’t hesitate to break it.”

On his part, another APC member, Muhammad King Cash, posted yesterday, “In your mind, if you feel you hate Garo, you are a hypocrite as far as Kano APC is concerned. Only hypocrites dislike him.”

Another said, “You are just threatening people that election could only be won with Murtala Garo on the ticket. Where was he when APC lost Kano in 2023. was he not alive?” asked Jinaidu Aminu Kilishi.

 

Background to the crisis

When Gwarzo resigned as deputy governor on March 27, 2026, amid impeachment proceedings at the state assembly, Governor Yusuf was left without a deputy.

The delay in appointing a replacement has since become a flash point for competing factions within the APC. Ganduje’s camp and Barau’s camp have each been pushing for their preferred nominees, with names like Murtala Sule Garo, Salihu Sagir Takai, and Speaker Jibril Isma’il Falgore and Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, circulating in political circles.

Lately, the name Rabiu Sulaiman Bichi seems to  have been added to the top contenders list.

The choice of deputy governor is seen as critical not only for governance but also for shaping alliances ahead of the 2027 elections. The position carries symbolic weight in balancing regional and factional interests, making it a prize both camps are unwilling to concede.

While all these are taking place, there seems to be loud silence from the governor’s circle and people he defected with to the APC, including names earlier suggested such as Speaker Falgore.

 

The social media battles

On Facebook and other platforms, supporters of Ganduje and Barau have been trading accusations.

Ganduje loyalists argue that his long experience as former governor and APC national chairman gives him the right to influence the choice of deputy governor.

Barau’s supporters counter that the Deputy Senate President commands a stronger grassroots following across Kano’s 44 local councils and should therefore have a decisive say. 

They accuse Ganduje’s camp of clinging to outdated influence and warn that imposing a candidate could fracture the party further.

Posts monitored on Facebook pages and groups aligned with both camps show heated exchanges, with each side questioning the loyalty and credibility of the other.

 

APC Legacy Group’s 3 nominees’ recommendation

The APC Legacy Group in Kano last weekend submitted three names to Governor Yusuf as possible nominees for the deputy governor office.

The nominees are Rabiu Sulaiman Bichi, Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, and Murtala Sule Garo.

Bichi is the present Managing Director of the Hadejia–Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), Garo was former Ganduje’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, while Rurum was a former Kano Assembly Speaker and sitting member representing Rano/Kibiya/Bunkure constituency in the House of Representatives.

While the three were initially presented, subsequent meetings of stakeholders have tilted strongly in favour of Garo, though Bichi is also said to enjoy backing from powerful figures such as the Deputy Senate President.

The APC Legacy Group represents influential stakeholders who were part of the party before its merger with other blocs.

Kano gov’s circle keeps mum amidst permutations

While all this is going on however, there seems to be a loud silence from Governor Yusuf and his circle about the direction he is headed to.

The governor, who is the one with the final say on whom to take, is believed to be taking his time to decide, while some are insisting that he could be under pressure not to offend any of the camps.

Whichever nominee he decides to go with, he must weigh his strengths and how he will help secure unity in the party ahead of 2027. His eventual choice will be seen as aligning with one faction over the other.

Garo’s grassroots mobilisation contrasts with Bichi’s administrative experience and Rurum’s legislative clout, making the decision a test of what qualities the governor values most in a deputy.

Also, whichever direction the governor faces, may pitch him against the other camp which could lead to discomfort.

The entire process has exposed deeper divisions within Kano APC.

 

Ganduje pushes for Garo, Barau for Bichi

Garo, a former Commissioner, is seen as a household name in Ganduje’s camp.

As one of the perceived most powerful commissioners during Ganduje’s tenure, many believe that adding him to the ticket will help the governor leverage on the political structure his supporters are boasting he has across the 44 local government areas of the state.

Garo was also the APC deputy governorship candidate in the state in 2023 elections, where he served as running mate to Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna (Ganduje’s former Deputy), who has now dumped the party for the opposition ADC.

However, many people opposing his candidature make reference to his multi-billion Naira corruption case presently before the court.

Rabiu Sulaiman Bichi on the other hand is the former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and a seasoned administrator with experience at both state and federal levels.

His supporters argue that his bureaucratic background makes him a stabilising choice.

Bichi’s course is believed to be enjoying Barau’s backing. The APC Legacy Group Organising Secretary, Indo Kwarin Albarka, on Monday announced that Barau and the immediate past APC Chairman in the state, Abdullahi Abbas, have thrown their weight behind the candidacy of Rabiu Suleiman Bichi. However, Barau’s camp is yet to either confirm or deny the story.

But speaking to our reporter on condition of anonymity, a close associate of the Deputy Senate President said all their boss is after is good governance and is with any candidate who can help achieve that aspiration.

“Senator Barau’s focus is always good governance and who will help achieve it, that is why he even joined politics. If a particular nominee’s image is tainted with allegations, there is no reason to support him. But in all this, it is the governor who has the constitutional power to decide who he will work with,” the source said.

A former aide to Ganduje who preferred not to be named said their camp is pushing for Garo only because of competence and fairness.

The former appointee said, “If you look at it critically, you will see that of all the recommended nominees, none has grassroot political structure across the state more than Garo.

“Also looking at his antecedents and previous positions, he is the most competent who will add value to the Governor’s ticket since we are talking of election next year. He has supporters.

Professor Kamilu Sani Fage, a political scientist at Bayero University Kano (BUK), has described the open confrontation between the camp supporters as “uncalled for” and potentially damaging to the ruling party.

Speaking to Daily Trust, the university don said, “What we are seeing now politically is uncalled for, where members of the same party are slugging it out on social media over a position that only one person will eventually occupy.