By Musa Baba Adamu
A former All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Kano Central, Alhaji Abdulsalam Abdulkarim Zaura, popularly known as AA Zaura, has pledged his commitment to reconciling the state’s three most influential political figures—Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and Ibrahim Shekarau.
Speaking during a political program on a local radio station, Zaura emphasized that the long-standing political divisions among the trio have hindered Kano’s progress. He argued that fostering unity between them was essential for the state’s development, adding that political rivalry in Kano should not be driven by personal interests but by the collective good.
“Opposition politics in Kano, as it is played today, is not beneficial. I am ready to work towards reconciling our three key leaders—Kwankwaso, Ganduje, and Shekarau. It should be about Kano, not personal interests. Once that is achieved, Lagos and other states will look to Kano for lessons in progressive politics,” Zaura said.
He noted that unity among the three former governors could transform Kano’s political landscape from one characterized by conflicts to one that prioritizes development, mirroring the progress seen in states like Lagos.
Zaura’s remarks come amid repeated but unsuccessful attempts to mend the rift between Ganduje, the APC national chairman, and Kwankwaso, the national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
Previous reconciliation efforts were hampered by political disagreements, most recently when Kwankwaso’s loyalists backed former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello to replace Ganduje as APC national chairman—a move that further strained relations.
Zaura is not alone in his call for unity. Other APC stakeholders, including the party’s 2023 deputy governorship candidate, Murtala Sule Garo, and prominent politician Baffa Babba Danagundi, have also advocated for peace among Kano’s top political figures.
Kwankwaso, Ganduje, and Shekarau, all of whom have served two terms as Kano governor, remain key political players in the state despite being affiliated with different parties.
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