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2023: Abba Kabir takes lead over Nasiru Gawuna in Kano governorship race – poll
Nasiru Yusuf
Ahead of the forthcoming 2023 governorship elections, a recent statewide opinion poll commissioned by ANAP Foundation showed that the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP) Governorship Candidate, Abba Kabir Yusuf, is the most favoured to win the election.
KANO FOCUS reports that the poll conducted by NOIPolls Limited in October revealed a close race between Mr Yusuf and Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC). There is an 18-point gap between the pair and other candidates.
“The results showed a significant lead for Abba Kabir Yusuf with 29 per cent of voters proposing to vote for him if the governorship election were to be conducted today; and 21 per cent proposing to vote for Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna of the APC who fell in second place,” the foundation said.
“Muhammad Sadiq Wali If the PDP was a distant third with only 3 per cent of voters proposing to vote for him.
“Abba Kabir Yusuf’s 9 per cent-point lead at this early stage is significant, but not sufficient to separate him completely from his main challenger as the top 3 candidates scored 29 per cent, 21 per cent and 3per cent, the organisers stated.
“However, the poll showed that undecided voters and those who prefer not to reveal their preferred candidate add up to a whopping 30per cent and 11per cent respectively. The gender split of undecided voters shows that 35 per cent of women are undecided versus 22 per cent of male voters.
“Poll Question: Suppose the governorship election is being conducted today, who are you likely to vote for?
“The percentage of registered voters is as follows in each of the districts – 88per cent in Kano South, 92per cent in Kano Central, and 93per cent in Kano North.
“When asked if respondents were aware of the various candidates vying for Governorship, data gathered showed that 85 per cent of the respondents were aware of Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna of the APC, 82 per cent were aware of Abba Kabir Yusuf of the NNPP, 67per cent were aware of Mohammed Sadiq Wali of PDP and 62 per cent were aware of Sha’aban Ibrahim Sharada of the ADP.
“All other candidates scored below 50per cent in terms of name recognition.
“Furthermore, the data summarises top four reasons why voters are more inclined to vote in the forthcoming elections, these include – Continuity of Educational Policy (26 per cent), Infrastructure (21per cent), Insecurity (16 per cent) and Unemployment (11per cent) amongst others.
“Thirty-one per cent of the respondents would love to see their preferred governorship candidates participate in a televised interview and/or debate, with the interview/debates spanning across topics like their party manifestos, personality recognition and competence check amongst others.
“It is worthy of note that 71 per cent of those aged 18-25, 85 per cent of those aged 26-35, 85per cent of those aged 36-45, 82per cent of those aged 46-60 and 82per cent of those aged 61+ responded they would definitely vote in the coming elections.
“The age groups that expressed the greatest willingness to vote were those between 26-35 years and 36-45 years.
The organiser of the poll also said the poll indicated that there might be an increase in the turnout of voters in the state.
“The Poll shows that almost 8 in 10 registered voters are absolutely certain that they would be voting in the next governorship election. If they stay committed, then we could witness a huge turnout in the March 2023 governorship elections.
The organiser of the poll said despite the significant lead of the two frontrunners, what would eventually decide the outcome of the election is who undecided voters decided to vote for.
“While this governorship poll result shows some significant trends, it is key to note that the battle ahead lies with the undecided/swing voters as they would ultimately decide which candidate emerges as governor of Kano State in the 2023 governorship elections.
“In summary, our October 2022 Polls are inconclusive in terms of establishing a clear winner as the undecided voters are enough to turn the tables. However, ANAP Foundation has concluded that the trends are clear enough to establish the front runners and so our subsequent polls will concentrate on the 2 leading candidates only, the foundation said.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Dr Goni Faruk Umar has urged Muslims to embrace Taqwa in their daily lives, describing it as a foundation of Islam and a key to righteous conduct and success in this world and the hereafter.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Islamic scholar made the call while delivering a Juma’a sermon at the New Juma’a Mosque, Rumfa College, Kano.
In the sermon, Dr Goni Faruk Umar explained the meaning of Taqwa using classical Islamic scholarship, including an account involving Umar ibn al-Khattab and the companion Ubayy ibn Ka’b to illustrate the concept.
According to the account cited in the sermon, Sayyadina Ubayy once asked Khalifa Umar bin Khattab whether he had ever walked along a thorny path. When Khalifa Umar bin Khattab answered in the affirmative, Sayyadina Ubayy asked how he navigated it. Khalifa Umar bin Khattab replied that he gathered his clothes and proceeded cautiously to avoid being pricked.
Sayyadina Ubayy then explained that this was the essence of Taqwa: being constantly mindful of one’s actions and carefully avoiding what displeases Allah.
Dr Goni Faruk Umar said Taqwa should not be limited to acts of worship but should also guide Muslims’ conduct in contemporary society, particularly in their use of digital platforms and social media, control of the tongue, and relationships within the family.
He urged worshippers to exercise restraint in their speech, act responsibly online and uphold their obligations to family members in accordance with Islamic teachings.
The cleric also highlighted the spiritual and worldly benefits of Taqwa, including relief from hardship, ease in personal affairs, forgiveness of sins and increased rewards in the hereafter.
Quoting verses from the Qur’an, he cited Allah’s promise in Surah At-Talaq, verses 2 and 3, that whoever fears Him will be granted a way out of difficulties and provided for from sources they could not have anticipated.
He also referred to Qur’an 65:4–5, which promises ease in affairs, the removal of sins and the multiplication of rewards for those who maintain Taqwa.
The scholar reminded Muslims that worldly life is temporary and that the hereafter is their permanent destination. He therefore urged them to regard Taqwa as the best provision for the journey beyond this life.
Citing Qur’an 2:197, he emphasised that the best provision for the hereafter is Taqwa, urging believers to remain conscious of their responsibilities to Allah.
The sermon also featured prayers and salutations upon Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his family and companions, in accordance with the Qur’anic instruction in Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 56.
Dr Goni Faruk Umar concluded by encouraging Muslims to remain steadfast in faith, follow the guidance of the Prophet and make righteousness a guiding principle in their daily lives.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Political allies and loyalists of former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Arc Aminu Dabo, have begun resigning from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State following his withdrawal from the ruling party.
KANO FOCUS reports that the supporters, operating under the political group Dabo Alheri Ne, reportedly include members across Kano State’s 44 local government areas.
Barely two days after Dabo announced his resignation from the APC, a prominent stakeholder of the group, Garba Zakiru Dambatta, said members had welcomed the decision and were showing solidarity by submitting their resignation letters to their respective ward party chairmen.
Dambatta, a former APC chairman in Dambatta Local Government Area, said the group’s members were disappointed with what they described as the prolonged marginalisation of Mr Dabo and his supporters within the party.
According to him, despite Mr Dabo’s contributions to the APC and efforts to strengthen the party and manage disagreements among its members, some key stakeholders had continued to sideline him and his loyalists in party activities.
Dambatta reaffirmed the group’s commitment to standing by Mr Dabo’s political decisions and supporting his future political journey.
He also urged the former NPA managing director not to succumb to political pressure or reverse his decision to leave the party.
“This step you have taken, we have the conviction that it is the beginning of a new chapter of goodness in your life,” Dambatta said.
Among the prominent members of the group identified as supporting Mr Dabo’s decision are Abba Rabee’u, a former Senior Special Assistant on Political Awareness; Almustapha Jilani Danmalam, a former Senior Special Assistant on Education; Jamilu Abdullahi Zangon-Mata, a former Senior Special Assistant on Entrepreneurship; and Fahd A. Dabo, a former Special Assistant on Youth Mobilisation.
The individuals reportedly served during the second term of former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
The group also said several other party loyalists and supporters were backing Dabo following his resignation.
However, the statement did not provide the number of members who had formally resigned from the APC or indicate whether the party leadership had responded to the development.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Five players of Kano Pillars Amputee Football Club have been invited to the national camp of Nigeria’s Special Super Eagles ahead of the 2026 Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico.
KANO FOCUS reports that invited players are Isah Yusuf, Abba Musa, Habu Friday, Emanuel Betel and Usman Ahmed. They are currently in Abuja with the national team as preparations intensify for the global tournament.
The Team Manager of Kano Pillars Amputee Football Team, Jamilu Uba Adamu, disclosed this in an interview with Ashiru Rabiu Gidan Tudu, Information Officer of the Kano State Sports Commission.
Adamu described the invitation as recognition of the players’ dedication, discipline and outstanding performances.
He expressed confidence that the players would represent Kano State and Nigeria with honour at the championship.
According to him, the call-up also demonstrates Kano Pillars’ commitment to nurturing talented amputee footballers and contributing to the development of the sport in Nigeria.
The 2026 Amputee Football World Cup is scheduled to take place from November 13 to 22 in San Juan de los Lagos, Mexico. A total of 24 countries, including seven African nations, are expected to participate.
The Executive Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, congratulated the five players on their invitation, describing it as well deserved.
Babangida expressed confidence that they would justify the confidence reposed in them by the national team selectors.
He assured the players of the commission’s continued support and urged them to remain focused, disciplined and committed to making Kano State and Nigeria proud on the international stage.
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