Former Kano State governor and ex-senator Kabiru Gaya has failed to secure the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ticket for Kano South ahead of the 2027 elections, despite recently joining the party.
The NDC instead adopted Kassim Batayya as its consensus candidate during a stakeholders’ meeting in Kano on Sunday. The decision comes shortly after Gaya’s departure from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and subsequent move to the NDC following a brief stint in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Although many party supporters expected Gaya to emerge as the candidate, he publicly backed Batayya and accepted the outcome.
“We are all working for the progress of the party. Although I was not present when the decision was taken, I have accepted it in good faith,” Gaya said.
He also stressed the need for unity within the party, saying, “Politics is about sacrifice and understanding. What is important is the collective interest of the party and the future of Kano South.”
The NDC has begun its primary process for legislative positions ahead of the 2027 polls. Political observers say the development could influence the contest in Kano South, where competition among major political blocs is already intensifying.
Gaya represented Kano South in the Senate from 2015 to 2023 and previously served as governor of Kano State between 1992 and 1993. He lost his Senate seat in 2023 to Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, who has since defected to the APC and is believed to have secured the party’s ticket for the next senatorial election.
