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Abdulaziz Umar Ganduje formally returns to the APC in Kano after a brief defection to the New Democratic Congress (NDC), ending months of speculation over his political future.
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The former NDC House of Representatives aspirant rejoins the ruling party after the close of nomination sales, making the move a strategic political realignment rather than an immediate electoral comeback.
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His return is widely seen as reinforcing the Ganduje political structure in Dawakin Tofa and strengthening the APC’s grassroots machinery ahead of the crucial 2027 general elections.
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The development marks another twist in Kano’s enduring political rivalry between the Ganduje-led APC bloc and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s Kwankwasiyya movement, with analysts predicting renewed competition for dominance in the state.
August 17, (THEWILL) — Abdulaziz Umar Ganduje, the eldest son of former Kano State Governor and immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has formally returned to the ruling party after ending his brief political romance with the New Democratic Congress (NDC).
Abdulaziz was received back into the APC on Sunday at the party’s Ganduje Ward office in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State, where he was presented with his membership card in the presence of party officials, stakeholders and supporters.
The ceremony was widely viewed as a public reaffirmation of his loyalty to the APC and the political structure built over the years by his father, one of the party’s most influential figures in Kano.
THEWILL reports that his return comes months after he left the APC for the NDC, where he obtained the party’s nomination form to contest the Dawakin Tofa/Tofa/Rimin Gado Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.
The move had generated considerable political attention at the time, with many observers interpreting it as a significant boost for the NDC and a possible alignment with the Kwankwasiyya political movement led by former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a long-time political rival of Abdullahi Ganduje.
However, Abdulaziz’s latest decision to return to the APC comes after the deadline for the purchase of nomination forms, effectively ruling out any immediate electoral ambition under the ruling party for the current election cycle.
Party leaders at the event described his return as a welcome development capable of strengthening the APC’s grassroots presence in Dawakin Tofa, an area regarded as one of the Ganduje family’s traditional political strongholds.
Supporters who attended the ceremony also expressed confidence that the development would further consolidate the party’s structure in the constituency while projecting a united front ahead of future political contests.
For years, Kano politics has revolved around the fierce contest for supremacy between the APC faction associated with Abdullahi Ganduje and the Kwankwasiyya movement spearheaded by Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The rivalry has remained one of the defining features of the state’s political landscape, determining electoral outcomes and party fortunes across successive election cycles.
Abdulaziz’s earlier defection to the NDC had been celebrated in some opposition circles as a symbolic breakthrough against the Ganduje political dynasty.
His decision to retrace his steps and rejoin the APC is now being interpreted as a boost for the former governor’s political camp and a demonstration that the family’s influence within Kano politics remains intact.
Although the move has no immediate effect on candidate nominations because the deadline for obtaining party nomination forms has already expired, it is expected to strengthen the APC’s internal cohesion in Kano as political stakeholders begin positioning for the high-stakes 2027 elections.
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Background
Abdullahi Umar Ganduje served as Governor of Kano State between 2015 and 2023 before becoming the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). His political relationship with former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, once a close ally, deteriorated over the years, giving rise to one of Nigeria’s fiercest political rivalries.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
