The ongoing All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Kano State have produced major political upsets and strategic realignments, with former House of Representatives member Farouk Lawan emerging as one of the biggest casualties after failing to secure the party’s ticket for the 2027 elections.
Lawan, who sought to return to the National Assembly through the Bagwai/Shanono Federal Constituency seat, lost the APC primary to Yusuf Badau in what party officials described as a fiercely contested battle, underscoring the changing power dynamics within Kano APC.
His defeat has already sparked conversations within political circles about the gradual decline of some long-established political figures amid the rise of newer alliances and stronger grassroots calculations inside the ruling party.
While Farouk Lawan’s loss dominated discussions, several heavyweight lawmakers successfully secured their return tickets, reinforcing the influence of entrenched party blocs and consensus arrangements that shaped much of the primaries across the state.
Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Abba Bichi, retained the APC ticket for Bichi Federal Constituency after emerging unopposed as the sole candidate endorsed by party stakeholders.
Similarly, former Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin, secured the APC ticket for Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency, consolidating his political survival within Kano’s increasingly competitive APC structure.
Also affirmed as candidates through consensus arrangements were Barrister Shehu Muhammad for Fagge Federal Constituency and Abdullahi Muazu Baban Ganduje for Kabo/Gwarzo Federal Constituency, both of whom benefited from internal agreements reached among party power brokers.
Reports from the APC state secretariat indicated that the party relied heavily on consensus to avoid internal fractures, with candidates emerging through negotiated settlements in about 20 federal constituencies. However, direct contests were conducted in constituencies where stakeholders failed to reach agreements.
Political observers say the strategy reflects the APC’s attempt to manage internal tensions and prevent post-primary defections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In other constituencies, Idris Dankawu and Rabiu Ibn Yusuf reportedly emerged victorious in Kumbotso and Takai/Sumaila respectively, while serving lawmaker Mohammad Nalaraba also retained his position after winning the Gezawa/Gabasawa primary contest.
Confirming the outcomes, APC spokesperson in Kano State, Auwalu Soja, said some results were still being collated, indicating that the internal contest for influence within the party remains active.
The primaries have further exposed the intense struggle for political relevance in Kano, one of Nigeria’s most influential political battlegrounds. With old political figures facing resistance and newer alliances consolidating power, analysts believe the APC’s internal calculations ahead of 2027 may significantly reshape Kano’s political hierarchy.
For many party loyalists, Farouk Lawan’s defeat symbolises more than a lost ticket—it reflects the harsh reality of Kano politics, where yesterday’s political heavyweight can quickly become today’s casualty once internal alliances shift.