By Our Correspondent

National News – Kabiru Gaya, former Kano State governor and ex-senator for Kano South, has lost the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial ticket for the district ahead of the 2027 general elections in Nigeria.

The party instead settled for Kassim Batayya as its consensus candidate.

The decision was reached during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Sunday at the Miller Road residence of former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Party leaders gathered to finalise the NDC candidate for Kano South Senatorial District after internal consultations.

Gaya recently defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), before joining the NDC alongside Kwankwaso.

He had positioned himself for a Senate comeback but was not selected during the party’s consensus arrangement.

Gaya later endorsed Batayya in a video message, accepting the outcome in the interest of unity within the party.

He said the decision was taken in his absence but pledged support for the chosen candidate.

Gaya served as Kano State governor from 1992 to 1993 and represented Kano South Senatorial District between 2015 and 2023 under the APC.

He lost his re-election bid in 2023 and has since remained active in shifting political alignments ahead of 2027.

Political analysts say the development could reshape Kano South politics as parties intensify preparations for the 2027 elections in Nigeria.