Former House of Representatives Majority Leader, Alhassan Doguwa; the immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje; along with other key party stakeholders, have thrown their support behind former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Murtala Garo, as the preferred candidate for the position of Deputy Governor of Kano State.
Doguwa made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.
He explained that the endorsement followed a late-night strategy meeting held on Saturday, where party leaders reportedly mobilised support for Garo.
According to him, the former commissioner secured about 90 per cent backing from those in attendance.
Speaking on the outcome, Doguwa urged Governor Abba Yusuf to consider Garo for the role, describing him as experienced and loyal.
“Garo is the most suitable candidate. He has remained consistent, patient, and loyal. This is the kind of support the governor needs at a critical time,” he declared.
The development comes two weeks after the resignation of the former Deputy Governor, Abdussalam Gwarzo, which created a vacancy in the state leadership.
Although three contenders—Garo, Rabiu Bichi, and Kabiru Rurum—were initially considered, the statement noted that discussions ultimately favoured Garo, with near-unanimous support.
Other prominent figures said to have backed his candidacy include former Deputy Governor and ex-Minister of State for Housing, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, alongside several party leaders.
Before the endorsement, Garo had held various positions, including National Organising Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2007, Special Adviser to a former Kano State governor, Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, and a two-term commissioner.
He also served as the APC deputy governorship candidate in the 2023 election.
Stakeholders expressed confidence that his emergence would promote unity within the party and bring stability to Kano State’s political environment.
