Shekarau labels PDP ‘cancerous’ as APC national chairman storms Kano to woo former governor
In a high-stakes move to consolidate its influence in Northern Nigeria, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, led a high-powered delegation to the Mundubawa residence of former Kano State Governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, on a mission to woo the veteran politician back to the party.
The visit, which took place on Wednesday, is being seen as a strategic offensive by the APC to reclaim its dominance in Kano, the North’s most populous state and a traditional commercial nerve center.
“A pillar of Nigerian politics”
Accompanied by prominent figures including Senator Hayatu Gwarzo, Yilwatda described Shekarau as a “sincere man and a decent politician” whose national network is vital for the country’s stability. While the chairman noted his personal ties to Kano, calling it his “second home,” he was blunt about the political nature of the visit.
“We are here to plead with you to join APC. We need your experience and leadership to move the party and the nation forward, irrespective of ethnic or religious differences,” Yilwatda stated.
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The chairman emphasized that the North must remain united to ensure progress, drawing a parallel to the region’s support for former President Muhammadu Buhari. He argued that the North must now stand by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure the South completes its turn in power, framed as a matter of “fairness and principle.”
Development as a bargaining chip
To sweeten the deal, Yilwatda highlighted the federal government’s commitment to Kano and the wider North, citing several transformative infrastructure projects like the Lagos–Kano–Maradi Rail Line which he said is expected to revolutionize trade; the regional gas pipeline, a project traversing the North to boost industrialization; and federal appointments. The chairman noted that Kano currently holds the highest number of federal political appointments in Northern Nigeria.
“I am a Northerner, and I will not allow anything that will sabotage the North,” Yilwatda assured, positioning the APC as the best vehicle for regional interests.
Shekarau labels PDP crisis a “serious cancer”
Responding to the overture, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau was warm but remained non-committal for the moment. However, he did not hold back in his assessment of his current party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Shekarau described the internal turmoil within the PDP as a “serious cancer,” admitting that the party is struggling with deep-seated challenges that have yet to be resolved.
While he expressed gratitude for the “brotherly visit,” the former governor hinted that a major political shift could be on the horizon.
“In the next couple of days, I will make my position known after thorough consultation with my Shura Council and relevant stakeholders,” Shekarau declared.
The potential defection of Shekarau—a man known for his disciplined “Shura” (consultative) political structure—would be a significant blow to the PDP in the North and a major “catch” for the APC as it prepares for the 2027 electoral cycle. All eyes now remain on the Mundubawa residence for Shekarau’s final verdict.
