The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Ata, has pledged to lead the All Progressives Congress (APC) to victory in Kano State during the 2027 elections. Speaking during his first visit to Kano after being sworn in, Ata highlighted his determination to regain control of the state for the party, which recently suffered electoral setbacks in the region.
“My appointment was mainly for political reasons,” Ata told reporters.
“APC has lost Kano State, and now it will reclaim Kano. The main challenge lies in Kano Central, and I am from there.”
He emphasized his commitment to grassroots engagement, saying, “Even as a minister, I will continue to work from my ward. We are going to work very hard to see that APC gains control of Kano State by 2027.”
Ata also expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his appointment, stating, “This is not just for me but for the people of Kano and Nigeria as a whole.”
He assured the President that his efforts would translate into electoral victory for the APC in Kano.
“This is my assurance given to the President,” he said confidently.
However, Ata’s appointment has not come without controversy. The former Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, criticized the decision to appoint Ata as his replacement, describing it as a poor political move. In a BBC Hausa interview, Gwarzo argued that Nasiru Gawuna, the APC’s 2023 governorship candidate, would have been a better choice to boost the party’s influence in Kano Central.
“I was surprised because I wasn’t found guilty of any wrongdoing or poor performance,” Gwarzo said, suggesting that his dismissal was politically motivated.
He explained that President Tinubu had informed him of the decision, citing an imbalance in political representation from Kano North.
“We gave our advice, but it was ignored. From there, I suspected political scheming by some chieftains within the party,” he noted.
Gwarzo also argued that giving Gawuna the ministerial slot would have strengthened the party’s base.
“If the ministerial position is to go to Kano Central, we have our 2023 governorship candidate. Why not consider him?” he asked.
Gwarzo pointed out that candidates from other states who contested governorship elections had been offered significant positions, including those from Plateau and Zamfara states.
Despite expressing his disappointment, Gwarzo stated he has accepted the situation and pledged his continued support for President Tinubu’s administration.
“I have moved on and will support the President’s administration,” he affirmed.