Key Takeaways
- APC National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda met Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, at Kofar Kudu Palace.
- The closed-door meeting is seen as part of APC's early strategy for the 2027 general elections.
- A palace source says the party sought the emir's endorsement for APC candidates in Kano.
- Analyst Usman Usman dismissed criticism over the omission of the 15th Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero.
APC Seeks Royal Support in Kano
The national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, met Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, on Tuesday at the Kofar Kudu Palace. Yilwatda, accompanied by senior APC leaders, held closed-door talks that lasted several hours.
A palace source said the visit centred on the 2027 elections and the APC's plan to strengthen its support base in Kano. "The national leadership of the APC was here to solicit the palace's support and endorsement of all APC candidates in Kano. They have realised the dynamics of Kano politics," the source said.
The source added that the APC recognises Emir Sanusi's grassroots influence and his ability to mobilise and sensitise residents on their rights and dignity.
Kano as Political Battleground
Kano remains a vital prize in Nigerian elections, with traditional rulers playing influential roles in voter mobilisation. The APC has been working to rebuild alliances after losing the 2023 governorship election in the state to the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Sanusi's return to the emirship in 2024, after his removal by the previous APC-led administration, has restored his political and social relevance.
Analyst Questions Bayero's Electoral Weight
Some commentators criticised Yilwatda for not also visiting the 15th Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero. Public affairs analyst Usman Usman dismissed this view, saying the meeting should be seen as part of broader political networking. "Political influence is not measured merely by claims of popularity. If an individual is said to command a decisive electoral following, such influence should be demonstrated through observable political outcomes," Usman said.
Usman cited the 2023 Kano governorship election, noting that Aminu Ado Bayero was associated with former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and APC candidate Nasiru Gawuna. The APC still lost, including at the polling unit linked to the emir's palace. "If Aminu Ado's political following was as extensive and electorally consequential as claimed, where was the evidence of that influence at the ballot box?" he asked.
Why This Matters
The meeting shows how seriously the APC views traditional authority in Kano ahead of 2027. Whether Emir Sanusi's backing will translate into votes, however, remains to be tested at the polls.