Ex-Kano Gov. Ibrahim Shekarau defects to APC, alters political calculations

Former Kano State Governor Malam Ibrahim Shekarau’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has altered political calculations in Kano State.

After weeks of consultations with political allies, Shekarau announced the move on Sunday at his residence in Kano, alongside PDP chieftain Senator Bello Gwarzo, during a gathering attended by supporters and loyalists.

Addressing the crowd, the former governor said the decision was reached after careful consideration of available political options.

He sought the opinion of those present, asking if they supported the move, and received unanimous approval.

Shekarau, who was governor of Kano State from 2003 to 2011 and served as Minister of Education from 2014 to 2015, cited the leadership crisis within the PDP as a major reason for leaving the party.

He described the decision as a return to familiar ground, having been a founding member of the APC before previous stints with the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the PDP.

The April 2026 defection marks a major shift in Kano’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections. Governor Abba Yusuf welcomed Shekarau into the APC, describing his return as a major boost to the party’s strength in the state.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad, Yusuf said a date would soon be fixed, in consultation with the national secretariat, for a formal reception.

The governor added that the APC in Kano has continued to witness growing support and consolidation, positioning itself as the most dominant political force in the state.

He stated that the party remains battle-ready to win all elective positions in the forthcoming elections, citing unity and strategic alignments as key drivers of the party’s confidence.

As a key leader and Board of Trustees member, Shekarau’s departure represents a significant blow to the PDP, which has been grappling with internal leadership challenges. While the move strengthens the APC, it also heightens the struggle for supremacy within Kano State, as key political figures continue to shift alliances, altering the balance of power ahead of the 2027 electoral contest.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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