Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State have endorsed a former commissioner for local government affairs, Murtala Sule Garo, as their preferred nominee for the deputy governorship position, describing other nominees as “shadow candidates.”

This was contained in a statement signed by the Leader of the Northern Regional Caucus in the House of Representatives, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, who disclosed that the decision followed a stakeholders’ meeting presided over by the party’s national chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

According to Doguwa, the majority of stakeholders at the meeting unanimously adopted Garo as their main candidate for the position, citing his political experience and widespread support across the state.

“About 27 out of 31 stakeholders in attendance agreed on Murtala Sule Garo as our major nominee for this exalted position,” he said, adding that the other names submitted were merely to comply with the governor’s directive.

He stated that Garo’s emergence was based on several factors, including his role as the party’s deputy governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections and his political influence across the 44 local government areas of Kano State.

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Doguwa also noted that Garo enjoys “immeasurable respect among elders and youths alike,” stressing that his administrative experience makes him well qualified for the role.

The lawmaker commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for what he described as a “rare show of humility and magnanimity” in allowing the legacy faction of the APC to nominate a deputy governor.

He said the governor’s decision to concede the nomination process to the group, alongside offering them political appointments including commissioner slots, demonstrates a commitment to unity within the party.

“We must commend the governor for this uncommon gesture and his determination to work for the unity of the party,” Doguwa said.

He, however, urged the governor to respect the outcome of the stakeholders’ meeting and approve Garo as the substantive nominee, noting that the final decision rests with him constitutionally.

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SolaceBase reports that the development comes amid ongoing political realignments in Kano following Governor Yusuf’s recent defection to the APC, a move that reshaped the state’s political structure and triggered negotiations among party stakeholders.

The deputy governorship position has remained a subject of intense interest since the political shift, further heightened by the recent resignation of the former deputy governor, creating a vacuum that stakeholders are now seeking to fill.

Doguwa reaffirmed the commitment of the legacy APC members to support the governor ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“We have assured His Excellency of our collective support to succeed in the coming elections,” he said.