The All Progressives Congress on Wednesday in Kano moved to strengthen its chances ahead of the 2027 general elections by reaching out to former governor Ibrahim Shekarau and urging him to return to the party, as part of efforts to regain control of the state.
The move was led by the party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, who visited Shekarau at his residence in Kano alongside other party figures. The visit followed concerns within the party over its poor performance in the state during the last election, which leaders believe affected its overall results in the region.
During the meeting, the APC leadership appealed to Shekarau to rejoin the party and support its plan for victory in 2027.
The chairman described the former governor as an experienced politician with strong grassroots support and wide influence across Northern Nigeria, noting that his return could help boost the party’s standing in Kano and beyond.
The party also used the opportunity to push its position on power rotation, calling on northern leaders and voters to support the continuation of power in the South until 2031.
According to the chairman, completing the current political arrangement would allow for a smooth transition of leadership back to the North afterward.
The APC leadership explained that its renewed focus on Kano is part of a broader strategy to secure stronger support in the North, especially after losing the state in the previous election cycle. Party leaders believe winning Kano again will improve their chances nationally in 2027.
In response, Shekarau acknowledged the visit and noted that his current party, the Peoples Democratic Party, is facing internal problems. He said the situation within the party remains unresolved and requires careful attention.
The former governor added that he is currently consulting with key political allies and members of his advisory group to decide his next step. He said a final decision on his political future would be made after these consultations are completed.
The development comes as political alignments begin to take shape ahead of the 2027 elections, with parties making moves to attract influential figures and strengthen their positions across key states like Kano.