Gov Yusuf Tightens Grip on Kano APC as Doguwa Emerges Chairman

The All Progressives Congress in Kano State on Tuesday night elected Alhaji Haruna Umar Doguwa as its new state chairman during a congress held to choose a fresh set of executives to lead the party, following his resignation as Commissioner for Water Resources to contest for the position.

Doguwa stepped down from his role in the Kano State Government shortly before the exercise, and his resignation was accepted by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, which cleared the way for him to take part in the party’s internal election.

At the end of the voting process, he emerged as chairman alongside other members of the state executive committee.

The congress produced Salisu Maje-Gwangwazo as Deputy Chairman, Prof. Yusuf Sabo-Bichi as State Secretary, and Fatima Dala as State Woman Leader.

In total, 28 officials were elected to manage the party’s affairs across the state.

With the outcome of the congress, Governor Yusuf is seen as strengthening his hold on the party structure in Kano, as many of his close associates secured key positions within the new executive.

At the same time, Senator Barau Jibrin, the Deputy President of the Senate, retains influence in the state leadership through the emergence of the deputy chairman.

Supporters of former APC National Chairman, Dr Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, are also said to have secured places in the new structure.

Party members who attended the congress described the exercise as orderly and peaceful. They expressed hope that the new leadership would work to unite members across the 44 local government areas of Kano State and prepare the party for future political activities.

In his remarks after the announcement of results, Doguwa assured party members that he would collaborate with stakeholders at all levels to promote inclusion and strengthen grassroots mobilisation as the party moves forward in the state.