The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, on Wednesday visited former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau and Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo in Kano in a move seen as part of efforts to persuade the two political figures to return to the ruling party.
Yilwatda met the former governor and senator at Shekarau’s residence, popularly known as Mundubawa Palace, where he appealed for their support, guidance, and possible return to the APC.
Addressing the leaders during the visit, the APC chairman described himself as “their son” and urged them to help strengthen the party in the North.
“Come and help me, I am your son. I need your support, I need your mentorship. I am pleading with you to come and help me,” Yilwatda said.
He also called on others present at the meeting to encourage the two politicians to rejoin the APC.
“Let us all come back to APC. Your son at the APC is pleading; I cannot do it alone. Together we can build a very strong alliance to help the North,” he added.
Responding, Shekarau commended Yilwatda for making the visit personally rather than sending emissaries.
“You have come to us; it is something you could have sent someone to do or even meet me in Abuja, but you came yourself,” the former governor said.
Shekarau, however, stopped short of making an immediate commitment, saying he and his political associates were still consulting and reviewing their future political direction.
He said the decision was being considered against the backdrop of what he described as “the cancer that has infected us in the PDP.”
“In a couple of days, you will hear from us whether we will join you or not, but I assure you that you will hear from us,” he stated.
The former governor added that whatever decision he and his allies eventually make would be guided by the overall interest of Kano State.
“Whatever we will do will be put on the scale of ‘Kano first’,” Shekarau said.
The visit is expected to fuel speculation over possible political realignments ahead of future elections, particularly in Kano, one of Nigeria’s most politically strategic States.
