By Editor
A political group formerly known as the Kwankwasiyya–Shekarau Unity Forum has announced a major rebranding, dropping the Kwankwasiyya identity and adopting the new name "Abba Gida-Gida–Shekarau Unity Forum" as it declared total support for Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The announcement was made on Monday during a solidarity visit by members of the forum to the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, at his office.
Speaking during the visit, the forum's Chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Saminu (DOC), said the decision marked a new political direction for the group, explaining that members had resolved to identify directly with Governor Yusuf's leadership and development agenda.
According to him, the forum was originally formed after the 2023 merger of APC and PDP political structures to strengthen the Kwankwasiyya movement during the elections.
He recalled that although their political leader, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, later exited the movement, members of the forum remained loyal but were allegedly sidelined despite their contributions.
Saminu, however, credited Commissioner Waiya with reconnecting the group to the state government, saying the renewed relationship inspired members to adopt a new identity centred on Governor Yusuf.
He said the forum's decision was informed by what it described as the administration's achievements in education, healthcare, security, youth and women empowerment, road infrastructure and other development projects, insisting that the governor deserved another term in office.
Receiving the delegation, Commissioner Waiya commended the group for what he described as a courageous political decision and reaffirmed the government's commitment to inclusive leadership.
He said their endorsement reflected confidence in Governor Yusuf's administration and its efforts to deliver democratic dividends across Kano State.
Waiya maintained that criticisms against the governor would not distract the administration from pursuing its developmental agenda and assured members that the government would continue to work with the forum ahead of the 2027 elections.
The commissioner also received members of the Trusted Youth Awareness for Abubakar Kabir Abubakar Bichi, who similarly pledged support for Governor Yusuf's second-term bid.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the group's chairman, Farouk Muhammad Dangora, praised the governor for approving the payment of outstanding entitlements to former councillors and cited ongoing development projects as justification for another term.
The group also requested Commissioner Waiya to serve as its Grand Patron while seeking closer collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs to promote the administration's programmes.
In his response, Waiya described Abubakar Kabir Abubakar Bichi as a committed leader dedicated to Kano's development and pledged the ministry's continued partnership with groups promoting the government's policies and programmes.
The dual endorsements add to growing political mobilization around Governor Yusuf as political alignments begin to take shape ahead of the 2027 general elections.