Kabiru Gaya Senate setback deepens as NDC picks Alkasim Batayya for the Kano South ticket ahead of 2027 polls
Former Kano South Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya has suffered a political setback after the Nigeria Democratic Congress selected former National Chairman of the National Association of Road Transport Owners, Alkasim Ibrahim Batayya, as its candidate for the 2027 Kano South Senatorial election.
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The decision was reached through a consensus arrangement during a political meeting held at the Miller Road residence of former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in Kano on Sunday.
Kabiru Gaya, who recently defected to the NDC after leaving both the All Progressives Congress and the African Democratic Congress, had sought the party’s ticket for the Kano South Senatorial District.
It became clearer after the party opted for Batayya as its consensus candidate rather than conducting a primary election.
Kwankwasiyya spokesperson Mansur Kurugu confirmed the development and disclosed that Gaya had accepted the outcome of the process.
According to Kurugu, the former senator pledged full support for Batayya’s candidacy ahead of the 2027 election.
A video later shared by Kwankwaso’s media aide, Saifullahi Hassan, showed Gaya publicly endorsing the party’s decision.
The development represents a significant moment in Kano politics, particularly given Gaya’s longstanding political influence in the state.
The former governor represented Kano South in the Senate from 2015 to 2023 after previously serving as governor of Kano State during the Third Republic.
Batayya is now expected to face incumbent Senator Sumaila, who won the seat under the New Nigeria Peoples Party in 2023 before later defecting to the APC, where he has secured the ruling party’s ticket for the 2027 race.
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Political observers believe the emerging contest could become one of the most closely watched senatorial battles in Kano State ahead of the next general election.
