2027: I’ll not contest for Kano governorship, says ex-APC candidate Waya

A former Kano State governorship candidate, Inuwa Waya, has said he will not contest for governorship under the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general elections.

Waya stated this on Wednesday evening while speaking to newsmen in Kano, shortly after a strategic meeting with his inner campaign circle.

He emphasised that his decision not to run in 2027 is based on personal reflection and a desire to contribute to the state’s progress from other angles, adding that he will continue to support initiatives that promote unity and good governance in Kano.

“I will not contest for the governorship election in 2027, and the decision is personal because I will continue to support moves that promote unity and good governance,” he said.

He, however, reaffirmed his commitment to remaining in the APC, stating that he is open to forming alliances with credible individuals and groups both within and outside the party.

He said collaboration and unity would be essential for the APC to reposition itself ahead of 2027.

Reflecting on the party’s loss in the 2023 elections, Waya attributed the defeat to poor leadership, lack of a coordinated campaign strategy, and internal miscalculations that weakened the party’s chances and ultimately led to the NNPP’s victory in Kano.

He emphasised that the APC and its members must learn from these mistakes to avoid repeating the failures of 2023.

“The party and its members must learn from those mistakes so as to avoid what happened during the 2023 elections,” he said.

According to him, genuine reforms, internal discipline, and strategic planning are necessary for the party to regain public trust and return to winning ways.

Waya added that his focus moving forward is to support efforts aimed at rebuilding the party and fostering unity among its stakeholders.

He also used the occasion to commend Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, for what he described as “giant strides” in infrastructural and social development across the state.

He urged the governor to continue with the ongoing developmental projects for the benefit of the Kano people, stressing that progress should be above partisan differences.

Inuwa Waya, a former senior official of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and a 2023 governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, has remained an active figure within Kano’s political space since declaring interest in the last election cycle.

The APC has been working to recover from the outcome of the 2023 governorship election, where the New Nigeria People’s Party was initially declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission before the result became a subject of prolonged litigation.

The party has since been engaging in internal reviews and consultations as it prepares ahead of 2027.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, whose administration has focused on infrastructure, social welfare, and urban renewal projects, continues to shape political discourse in Kano through the visibility of his programmes.