Tensions have surfaced within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Nigeria, as a disagreement has emerged between the party’s chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Attah. The issue revolves around Attah’s public endorsement of Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau as the APC’s preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election in Kano.
According to reports, the crisis began after Attah’s comments, which Abbas described as “unguarded” in a letter to the minister. Abbas warned that such statements could create misunderstandings and disunity within the party, emphasizing that internal party affairs are the exclusive domain of the APC leadership and its designated spokespersons. He cautioned that failure to comply with this protocol could result in disciplinary action.
In response, Attah defended his remarks through his publicity aide, Seyi Olorunsola, stating that his comments were an exercise of his democratic rights and intended to provide strategic political insight. The minister reiterated his loyalty to the APC and President Bola Tinubu, clarifying that his endorsement of Senator Barau was a personal assessment aimed at encouraging discussion and debate within the party ahead of formal nomination processes.
Attah also urged caution against publicly airing internal party disagreements, particularly at a time when Nigeria is grappling with significant security challenges. He emphasized that his comments were informed by his long-standing engagement with grassroots supporters and were meant to foster constructive debate within the party.
The development highlights the complex dynamics within the APC in Kano State as the party navigates its preparations for the 2027 elections. The situation underscores the importance of internal cohesion and strategic communication in maintaining party unity and advancing electoral prospects. As the APC and its stakeholders move forward, they will likely seek to manage such disagreements constructively, ensuring that internal discussions do not undermine the party’s broader objectives.