Gaya loses Kano South senatorial ticket after joining NDC

Former senator Kabiru Gaya has been unsuccessful in securing the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial ticket for Kano South, despite recently joining the opposition party. The NDC stakeholders meeting on Sunday adopted Kassim Batayya as their consensus candidate for the district, a move that sidelines Gaya's anticipated political comeback.

Gaya had recently defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the NDC, aligning himself with former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. This realignment was seen as a strategic move positioning Gaya for a return to the Senate in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections. He had previously served as governor of Kano State and represented Kano South in the Senate from 2015 to 2023 under the APC ticket.

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We are all working for the progress of the party. Although I was not present when the decision was taken, I have accepted it in good faith.

Despite speculation that Gaya would clinch the NDC ticket, the party ultimately opted for Batayya. The announcement was made by Kwankwaso's media aide, Saifullahi Hassan, who also shared a video of Gaya publicly endorsing Batayya. In the clip, Gaya acknowledged that the decision was made in his absence but stated his acceptance of the outcome in the interest of party unity.

"Politics is about sacrifice and understanding. What is important is the collective interest of the party and the future of Kano South," Gaya was heard saying. He emphasized that while he was not present for the decision, he accepted it in good faith, underscoring the importance of collective goals over individual ambitions. Political observers suggest this development could reshape the political landscape in Kano South, intensifying rivalries among major political blocs as the 2027 elections approach. Gaya's previous re-election bid in 2023 was unsuccessful, losing to Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, who has since joined the APC and is reportedly set to contest the Kano South senatorial seat under that party's banner.

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Politics is about sacrifice and understanding. What is important is the collective interest of the party and the future of Kano South.