KANO 2027: Ibrahim Little, Ibrahim Khalil left in limbo as ADC chases Gawuna
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has intensified its push to lure Kano politician Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna into its fold, offering him the party’s gubernatorial ticket to counter his recent alignment with the Kwankwasiyya movement.
The aggressive move is part of a strategic momentum by the ADC to capture key states across the federation.
Sources familiar with the undercurrents told NigerianSketch.com that influential figures within the party have been holding high-level consultations with Gawuna’s top political associates to convince him to run for governor on the ADC platform instead.
According to DC Hausa, the ADC has laid out far-reaching political concessions to sweeten the deal. These include automatic nominations for State House of Assembly and House of Representatives seats for some of Gawuna’s fiercest loyalists.
READ ALSO: How Ibrahim Little single-handedly rebuilt Kano ADC structure in 10 months – Former CPC secretary
Furthermore, the leadership of the party has reportedly guaranteed substantial financial backing to fully fund his campaign machinery should he accept the offer.
Prominent national political figures, including former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and former Ambassador Faruk Yabo, are said to be spearheading the high-stakes talks to pull Gawuna into the ADC.
The Kwankwasiyya angle and the NDC factor
The ADC’s intensified pressure comes at a critical time. Insiders reveal that Gawuna has recently given assurances of his loyalty and commitment to the Kwankwasiyya movement, having reportedly accepted to contest for a Senate position under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)—the new political platform the Kwankwasiyya movement recently migrated to.
However, the lucrative and sustained governorship offer from the ADC has reportedly prompted fresh deliberations and strategic considerations within Gawuna’s immediate camp.
READ ALSO: KANO 2027: Kwankwaso names Gwarzo for gov ticket, Gawuna for Senate
Interestingly, this high-stakes courtship sheds light on why the national leadership of the ADC has delayed announcing a winner for its Kano governorship primary, which was fiercely contested by Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil and Alhaji Ibrahim Little.
Party sources confirm the delay was deliberate, aimed at leaving the door open to seal a deal with Gawuna, whose candidacy is believed to heavily tip the scales in Kano.
A prize catch for 2027
Gawuna, who served as deputy governor and was the APC standard-bearer in the tense 2023 election, remains one of the influential political figures in the state.
He was widely tipped as a potential governorship candidate for the newly formed NDC before the movement’s leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, settled for his longtime ally and immediate-past deputy governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, as the party’s preferred standard-bearer—leading to Gawuna being offered the Senate ticket instead.
Political analysts note that Gawuna’s grassroots following across Kano makes him an incredibly attractive prospect for the ADC as they seek a formidable challenger to incumbent governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, in the next election cycle.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Gawuna nor national officials of the ADC have issued official public comments regarding the ongoing negotiations.
