Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has successfully brokered a reconciliation between two influential politicians in the state, Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin and Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Abubakar Kabir Bichi. The reconciliation took place in Abuja and lasted about two hours, bringing together the two Kano politicians after months of reported differences and disagreements over the direction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its structures in the state.
The reconciliation is significant for the Kano APC, as political realignments have intensified since Yusuf defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the APC in January 2026, altering the state's political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections. Yusuf's defection brought him into the same political camp as Barau, while creating the need for the party to manage competing interests among its various blocs as preparations for the next general election gather momentum.
The disagreement between Barau and Bichi had attracted attention due to their influential positions at the National Assembly and their political bases in Kano North. Barau represents Kano North in the Senate and serves as Deputy Senate President, while Bichi represents Bichi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and chairs the House Committee on Appropriations. The disagreement was reportedly linked to competing political interests and the struggle for influence within party structures.
Yusuf, the APC leader in Kano, urged Barau, Bichi, and their supporters to put their grievances behind them and work together in the collective interest of the party. He directed supporters of the two politicians to end public attacks and inflammatory exchanges, warning that such actions could undermine the party's unity. Yusuf emphasized that political disagreements are part of democratic engagement but should not be allowed to undermine the stability and progress of the APC.
The Kano State Government said the reconciliation process received the endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Yusuf assured the President, the APC national leadership, and other stakeholders of the party's commitment to working collectively ahead of 2027. The governor's intervention comes after other attempts to settle political differences within the Kano APC as the party works to consolidate its structure.
In May, Yusuf played a role in resolving a contest for the APC's Kano North senatorial ticket involving Barau and former minister of State for Housing, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo. Barau subsequently emerged as the APC candidate for Kano North after the party's affirmation exercise, further positioning him as a central figure in the party's preparations for the 2027 elections. The reconciliation with Bichi reinforces Yusuf's emerging role in managing competing interests within the APC following his realignment with the party.
Barau and Bichi have cautioned their supporters against actions capable of reviving the disagreement, reaffirming their commitment to the APC and expressing appreciation to Yusuf for intervening to resolve their differences. The focus now shifts to how effectively their respective supporters will implement the truce at the grassroots and within the party structure, as the Kano APC faces the challenge of translating the agreement into sustained cooperation among its competing political interests as the 2027 electoral cycle draws closer.
Key points
- Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf brokered a reconciliation between Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin and House Committee on Appropriations Chairman Abubakar Kabir Bichi.
- The reconciliation aims to ease tensions within the APC ahead of the 2027 elections and promote party unity.
- The development is significant for the Kano APC, as it seeks to coordinate the interests of its various political actors in Kano.
