NDC picks Batayya as Gaya loses Kano South ticket

A former senator representing Kano South, Kabiru Gaya, has lost his bid to clinch the senatorial ticket of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Gaya, who recently defected to the NDC following brief stays in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had sought a return to the Senate. His move to the party came alongside former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as part of ongoing political realignments.

However, during a meeting held on Sunday at Kwankwaso’s residence on Miller Road in Kano, party stakeholders adopted Kassim Batayya as the consensus candidate for the Kano South Senatorial District.

The decision was disclosed by Kwankwaso’s media aide, Saifullahi Hassan, via a Facebook post. He also shared a video in which Gaya endorsed Batayya, although the former senator indicated he was absent when the consensus decision was reached.

The outcome represents a political setback for Gaya, who served in the Senate from 2015 to 2023 and previously governed Kano State during the Third Republic.

The NDC is currently conducting its primary elections across Kano State for various positions, including the Senate, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly, in preparation for the 2027 polls.

Meanwhile, Gaya’s successor, Kawu Sumaila—who defeated him in 2023 on the platform of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP)—has since defected to the APC and is expected to seek re-election in 2027.