‘Consultations Ongoing’ – Demands Revealed As Gawuna Set To Dump NDC, Join ADC

The 2023 Kano State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, is set to leave the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following ongoing negotiations between both camps.

Findings by The PUNCH indicate that discussions have reached an advanced stage, with a final meeting expected to hold to determine the outcome of the talks.

The Kano State Chairman of the ADC, Musa Ungogo, confirmed that discussions were ongoing, insisting that the move was initiated by Gawuna and not the party.

“The story being circulated that the ADC approached Gawuna is not correct. It was Gawuna who approached us. He sent a delegation to meet us, and discussions have been ongoing since then,” Ungogo said.

According to Ungogo, Gawuna’s representatives included former Kumbotso Local Government Chairman, Sagir Fanshekara, and Hon. Kadawa.

He disclosed that the delegation met with the party leadership and presented a number of demands.

Among them was a request that Gawuna be adopted as the ADC governorship candidate for the 2027 election.

The delegation also sought political accommodation for some of Gawuna’s loyalists interested in State House of Assembly and National Assembly tickets.

Ungogo said Gawuna’s camp proposed a consensus arrangement under which other governorship aspirants would step down in his favour.

“They came with a number of requests. One of their major demands is that Dr Gawuna should emerge as the party’s governorship candidate. They also requested opportunities for some of their supporters who are interested in the state assembly and National Assembly tickets,” he said.

“They told us that even if the party decides to conduct primary elections, aspirants should step down for him because, according to them, he has political strength in several local government areas and possesses the capacity to lead the party to victory.

“They specifically requested a consensus arrangement and asked that the other aspirants support him.”

The ADC chairman added that the party requested a formal written submission outlining all the demands before making a decision.

“We asked them to provide a written document outlining all their requests. We also asked them to indicate the positions they are seeking and the local government areas where they have interests.

“We are expected to hold another meeting today. After receiving the document, we will study it carefully and make our position known,” he said.

Despite the ongoing talks, Ungogo stressed that no agreement had been reached.

“Consultations are still ongoing. Nothing has been concluded yet. We want a solution that will be acceptable to all stakeholders and beneficial to the party,” he said.

A close associate of Gawuna also confirmed that consultations were ongoing but declined to provide further details.

“I am not his spokesperson, and I am not authorised to speak on the matter. What I can confirm is that consultations are ongoing,” the source said.

The latest development comes months after Gawuna left the APC and later joined the NDC alongside Rabiu Kwankwaso and members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.

Upon joining the NDC, Gawuna accepted the Kano Central senatorial ticket, while the party settled for Aminu Gwarzo as its consensus governorship candidate.