North will stand by Tinubu in 2027 – Ganduje’s aide 

North will stand by Tinubu in 2027 – Ganduje’s aide

A strong ally and ardent loyalist of the former All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Malam Umar Idris Shuaibu, has expressed confidence that the North, particularly Kano State, will repay President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s goodwill with overwhelming votes in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Arewa PUNCH in Kano, Shuaibu explained that the President’s long-standing alliance with northern leaders, combined with Ganduje’s humility and reconciliatory political stance, has strengthened APC’s unity and consolidated its presence across the North-West and the North at large.

While also hailing President Tinubu for his long-standing relationship with northern political leaders, he stressed that the North would reciprocate the goodwill with massive support at the polls.

“President Tinubu has always stood by the North, and the North will surely stand by him when the time comes,” Shuaibu said.

“The goodwill he enjoys across the region will speak loud in 2027,” the APC staunch supporter and leader insisted.

He added that Ganduje’s political influence and people-oriented leadership remain the backbone of the party’s stability and growing popularity in Kano and beyond, even though he is no longer in office as national chairman.

“Dr. Ganduje’s calm temperament and people-focused politics have made him a different kind of leader,” Shuaibu said.

He continued, “Ganduje is patient, accommodating, and always ready to forgive. That is why the APC continues to grow stronger under his influence.”

The Kano ex-governor’s aide recalled that when Ganduje assumed office as the APC National Chairman in August 2023, the party was facing deep internal crises. However, within a short period, Shuaibu noted, Ganduje reconciled aggrieved members, rebuilt trust, and restored unity among stakeholders.

“Immediately he became the national chairman, there were divisions within the APC, but he brought everyone together,” he explained, adding, “He reached out to those who were offended and worked hard to ensure that everyone had a sense of belonging. That’s the mark of true leadership.”

Shuaibu emphasised that even with the APC out of power in Kano for over two years, the party’s structure has remained stronger because of Ganduje’s sustained engagement with grassroots supporters and continuous investment in the welfare of loyalists.

“Even without holding power in the state, the APC remains strong because of Dr. Ganduje’s political structure and his ability to carry everyone along,” he maintained.

Shuaibu, who  also highlighted the efforts of Ganduje’s son, Abba Ganduje, who has launched several empowerment initiatives to uplift party members and reinforce the APC’s base across the state, pointed out that the younger Ganduje recently introduced three schemes that included: food distribution and self-reliance support programmes that have benefited hundreds of loyalists.

In addition, Shuaibu commended other prominent APC figures, such as Hon. Baffa Babba Dan’agundi, for initiating similar efforts to support grassroots members, noting that these programmes continue to attract more supporters to the party.

“Because of these programmes, people are regaining confidence in the APC,” he said. “It’s no longer about promises — it’s about real empowerment and opportunities.”

Moreover, he described the establishment of the Progressives Policy Institute by Ganduje as one of the most significant contributions to the party, explaining that the institute has become a think tank for research, training, and policy formulation within the APC.

“The Progressives Policy Institute is a major legacy that will outlive Ganduje’s tenure,” Shuaibu remarked. “It is through this institute that many of the party’s developmental ideas and national policies are being shaped. It shows how Ganduje is thinking beyond politics — he’s building intellectual capacity for the future.”

According to APC stalwart and Ganduje ally, the APC ex-national chairman’s foresight and reconciliatory leadership have not only strengthened the APC in Kano but also enhanced its prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“With Ganduje as national chairman, APC members in Kano and across Nigeria became more united than ever,” he declared. “His leadership is a blessing to the party. We are fully ready to support whoever he chooses as our governorship candidate in 2027.”

Shuaibu concluded by emphasising that Ganduje’s leadership style — centered on humility, dialogue, and inclusiveness — remains the driving force behind the APC’s growing strength and stability across the country.

“Ganduje’s legacy will not just be about winning elections,” he added. “It will be about building people, strengthening the party, and leaving behind structures that will keep the APC strong for many years to come.”

Not a few political observers noted that Ganduje’s continued relevance — even out of office — underscores the power of loyalty, grassroots connection, and bridge-building in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.

“During his eight-year tenure as governor of Kano State, Dr. Ganduje built a resilient political apparatus that combined infrastructural development, targeted empowerment schemes, and a wide network of ward and council-level mobilisers,” said Mukhtar Unguwar Gini.

Analysts say his investments in local outreach and cadre-building created a loyal base capable of sustaining political organisation even when the APC was out of state power.

After his governorship, that structure has been maintained through trusted lieutenants, family-led outreach efforts, and the Progressives Policy Institute, ensuring a steady line of communication between grassroots activists and state-level strategists.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ahmed Dandago, a Kano-based senior analyst, has cautioned the party supporters from over relying and exploiting the Ganduje model and its operations and what it could mean for 2027.

According to Dandago, “the network is not merely a personality cult but a multilayered organisation:

“At the base are ward mobilisers and community leaders whose livelihoods are tied to the party’s local programmes; above them sits local council coordinators and trusted party executives who translate policy promises into visible outreach.

“The PPI supplies the intellectual content — training, policy messaging, and candidate grooming — while empowerment initiatives provide the immediate material link to voters.

“This combination creates loyalty that is both emotional and transactional,” he analysed.

Dandago added that Ganduje’s influence extends beyond Kano into neighbouring North-West states where similar patronage and mobilisation patterns have taken root, noting that those links can be activated quickly during an election cycle.

However, while cautioning supporters against the easy thoughts that mere organisational strength will always guarantee results, Dandago insisted that: “Economic frustrations, security concerns, and youth disaffection can blunt the impact of even the most disciplined machine,” further alerting, “opposition parties will try to tap local grievances, and emerging political movements could appeal to younger voters who are less tied to traditional mobilisers.

“Reliance on patronage carries reputational risks. If empowerment programmes are perceived as selective or opaque, they could feed narratives of exclusion rather than inclusion.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Dandago concluded his submission  with a strategic observation for President Tinubu: “What Ganduje offers is organisational reach and dispute mediation within the North — both crucial in a tight national contest. But Tinubu’s campaign must also address macroeconomic and security issues that voters care about.

The northern machinery can amplify support, but it can not substitute for credible policy wins. In 2027, the equation will be mobilisation plus message plus measurable results. Ganduje’s network satisfies the first; the administration must deliver on the other two.”

Finally, Umar Idris Shuaibu declared emphatically: “Kano and the North will repay Tinubu’s goodwill in 2027 — with loyalty, votes, and visible political strength.”