Gov Yusuf Could Be Key To Tinubu’s Electoral Prospects In North, Analyst Says

Kano State governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, could play a pivotal role in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term by helping the All Progressives Congress (APC) strengthen its political position across Northern Nigeria, a political analyst, Abdulmalik Suleiman said.

Suleiman, in a statement released in Kano over the weekend, argued that the governor’s popularity, perceived closeness to ordinary citizens and record in office placed him in a strong position to promote the president’s re-election campaign in the region.

He said political support in Northern Nigeria was built largely on trust and personal credibility, qualities he believes Yusuf has cultivated through his administration’s policies and public engagement.

The analyst cited developments in Kano’s education sector, pension payments, water supply and transport infrastructure as examples of the governor’s performance. He also referred to ongoing school renovations, the payment of outstanding scholarship amounts, improvements in urban services, and the construction of roads and flyovers.

Suleiman said the administration had also pursued initiatives in healthcare, agriculture and sanitation, arguing that visible improvements in public services could lend greater weight to Yusuf’s endorsement of the president.

In his assessment, the governor’s political appeal extends beyond government projects. Suleiman described Yusuf as an accessible and unassuming leader whose public image resonates with traders, farmers, students and other sections of society.

He cited the commercial community in Kantin Kwari, farming communities in Gwarzo, students at Bayero University and traditional institutions as examples of constituencies he believes identify with the governor.

Suleiman further argued that Yusuf’s perceived commitment to transparency and public service could help him appeal to voters who have become disillusioned with self-interested politics.

He said the governor’s administration had demonstrated accountability and was not being operated for the benefit of a political family or a small circle of influential individuals.

These attributes, according to the analyst, could make Yusuf a credible spokesperson for the Tinubu administration at a time when political opponents are challenging the Federal Government’s record in the North.

Suleiman pointed to federal spending on agriculture, security and major highways, including the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano and Sokoto–Badagry road projects. He also cited increased financial allocations to northern states, linking them to savings generated by the removal of the petrol subsidy.

He argued that Yusuf’s participation in federal executive meetings could give him a better understanding of national policies and enable him to communicate their implications to communities across the region.

The analyst also maintained that closer cooperation between Kano State and the Federal Government could help secure development opportunities for the state, while a more coordinated political position among northern states could strengthen their collective influence.

“His performance gives him authority, his goodwill gives him audience, and his simple, transparent and selfless personality, devoted to God and humanity, gives him credibility that money cannot buy,” Suleiman said.

He predicted that Yusuf could help the APC build support across the North, from Kano’s religious and commercial communities to farming settlements and major urban centres in other states.

Suleiman concluded that the governor’s involvement in Tinubu’s campaign would benefit both the party and the region by strengthening political cooperation and drawing attention to development priorities.

Nevertheless, the governor’s ability to convert his standing in Kano into broader northern electoral support remains an open question. Voters’ assessments of federal and state government performance, regional political alliances and competing candidates will also shape the eventual outcome.

For now, Suleiman’s position is clear: he believes Yusuf’s combination of political goodwill and administrative experience makes him a valuable potential ally for Tinubu as the president seeks another term.