Barau tells disgruntled APC aspirants to support party's success

Senator Jibrin Barau, the Deputy President of the Senate, has called on aspirants who lost in the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 primary elections to accept the results and rally behind the party for the general elections.

He made this appeal on Tuesday during the inauguration of the Kano North Senatorial District Campaign Council for the 2027 elections.

Ismail Mudashir, Barau's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, shared this information in a statement to journalists in Abuja.

The inauguration saw the attendance of APC leaders, members of the campaign council, and supporters from the Kano North Senatorial District.

Barau pointed out that the APC cannot afford to be divided after the primary elections. He urged those who secured party tickets to collaborate with their fellow aspirants who did not win.

He emphasized that the main goal is the party's victory and that of its candidates in the general elections. He stated, "The primaries are over. All members remain part of the same political family, APC. It is normal for politicians to compete for party tickets in a democracy. I urge those who emerged victorious to work with those who contested but did not secure the tickets."

Barau added, "You can see that many of those who contested the primaries but did not secure the tickets are here today. They understand that the party belongs to all of us, and that the victory of the party is ultimately their own victory."

This call comes as the party faces stiff competition for tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections. The primary contests have left some aspirants disappointed and could create new challenges for party unity.

Barau noted that the presence of some defeated aspirants at the inauguration showed their commitment to the APC, despite the primary results. He also urged the campaign council to gather support across the 13 local government areas in the Kano North Senatorial District for President Bola Tinubu, himself, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, and other APC candidates.

While inaugurating the council in Kano, Barau said the campaign structure aims to include all party stakeholders, from the ward to local government and senatorial district levels.

“This is an all-inclusive arrangement. Everybody is involved, and all stakeholders are part and parcel of this council. This has always been our system, and it is one of the reasons we have continued to succeed in Kano North. This election will not be an exception, by God’s grace,” Barau said.

He encouraged council members to go into the communities and mobilize voters for all APC candidates, from the presidential election to the state House of Assembly polls.

The campaign council is led by Rabiu Bichi, the Managing Director of the Hadeja Jama’are River Basin Development Authority and former Secretary to the Kano State Government.

In his response, Bichi stated that the council would support all APC candidates. He stressed that the campaign would cover the presidential, senatorial, House of Representatives, and state House of Assembly elections.

Bichi described Barau as a strong candidate whose efforts have made a significant impact across Kano State. He expressed confidence that the council, which has experienced politicians and grassroots mobilizers, will work together to secure the highest number of votes for the APC in Kano North and beyond.

He also assured Barau that the committee members would work hard to mobilize the electorate and achieve victory for the party in the upcoming elections.