Former local government chairmen in Kano State have endorsed the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, as the sole All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
The endorsement was made during a courtesy visit to Senator Barau at the National Assembly on Wednesday by former council chairmen who served between 2019 and 2022 under the administration of Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
The motion for the adoption was moved by the former Rimin Gado LGA chairman, Barrister Dahiru Mannir Maigari, and seconded by a former state ALGON chairman, Hon. Baffa Mohammed Takai. The decision was unanimously approved through a voice vote led by the former Madobi LGA chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Yahaya.
Two members of the Kano State House of Assembly—Hon. Zubairu Hamza Masu (Sumaila) and Hon. Garba Yau Gwarmai (Tsanyawa/Ghari)—were also present at the event.
In a statement, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Deputy Senate President, Malam Ismail Mudashir, said the former chairmen urged Senator Barau to formally declare for the governorship race, describing him as the preferred choice of Kano’s grassroots.
Speaking during the visit, the former Gwale LGA chairman, Alhaji Khalid Ishak Diso, said residents across the state were waiting for Barau’s official declaration.
“Kano people are waiting for you to declare. We recently held an event asking you to do so. Our people are anxiously waiting. Please answer the call to serve,” he said.
Also speaking, Hon. Baffa Mohammed Takai said the endorsement was based on Senator Barau’s “outstanding performance” and his contributions to Kano’s development.
“We are 100 per cent behind you. Insha’Allah, you will be the next governor come May 29, 2027,” he stated.
Responding, Senator Barau thanked the former chairmen, describing them as true grassroots mobilisers. He lamented Kano’s decline in development and commerce, pledging to work toward restoring the state’s lost glory.
“By the grace of God, we will take bold steps to bring Kano back to its glorious days. We will always stand for the truth and for our people,” he said.
Meanwhile, stakeholders from Tsanyawa and Ghari LGAs have also endorsed Senator Barau during a separate visit on Wednesday.
The motion was moved by Hon. Garba Yau Gwarmai and seconded by Hon. Aminu Yakanawa, after which over 100 stakeholders in attendance applauded the decision.
Yakanawa told Senator Barau that the people of both LGAs were fully behind his ambition.
“By the grace of Allah, you are the next governor of Kano State. Our people are solidly with you,” he said.
In his response, Senator Barau described the growing endorsements as a strong signal ahead of the 2027 polls. On security concerns in Tsanyawa and Shanono LGAs, he assured the stakeholders that efforts were already underway to address the situation.
“We are not leaving any stone unturned. We have taken the necessary steps, even if we are not announcing them publicly,” he said.
