Former Kano Governor Gaya Loses NDC Senate Ticket To Batayya

According to Ireporter Online, former Kano State Governor and ex-Senator representing Kano South in the 9th National Assembly, Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya, has suffered a setback in his bid to return to the Senate after losing the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial ticket.

Gaya, who recently defected to the NDC following his exit from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had sought to secure the party’s nomination to contest the Kano South senatorial seat in the 2027 general election. However, he was defeated by former Chairman of the National Association of Road Transport Owners, Alkasim Ibrahim Batayya.

The development was confirmed by the Spokesperson II of Kwankwasiyya, Mansur Kurugu, who disclosed that Batayya emerged as the party’s candidate through a consensus arrangement held on Sunday at the Miller Road residence of former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Kurugu further revealed that Gaya accepted the outcome of the consensus process and pledged his support for Batayya ahead of the election. “Kabiru Gaya has already accepted the decision and has promised to give his maximum support for Batayya to win the seat,” he said.

He added that the consensus meetings would continue on Monday to conclude decisions on other positions without resorting to direct primaries.

A video shared on Facebook by Kwankwaso’s media aide, Saifullahi Hassan, showed Gaya publicly endorsing the decision and reaffirming his commitment to support the party’s candidate.

The outcome is viewed as a significant political setback for Gaya, who served in the Senate from 2015 to 2023 and previously governed Kano State during the Third Republic, remaining a prominent political figure in Kano South.

Meanwhile, Batayya’s emergence sets up a likely contest against Kawu Sumaila, who defeated him in the 2023 senatorial election. Sumaila, who initially won the seat under the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has since defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he secured the party’s 2027 senatorial ticket.