Ex-Kano Gov. Ibrahim Shekarau Re-join APC After Resigning from PDP

In a significant political shift, former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau has officially rejoined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), ending his tenure with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The announcement took place on Sunday at his Mundubawa Avenue residence in Kano, an event marked by the prominent display of APC branding. Shekarau was not alone in this move; he was accompanied by Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo, a notable PDP chieftain, as they both transitioned to the ruling party.

During a gathering with his supporters, Shekarau explained that the decision was the result of extensive deliberations and a thorough evaluation of the current political landscape. He emphasized that the move was a collective resolution, even pausing to ask his followers for their public consent and inviting any dissenting voices to speak up before finalizing the transition.

This formal defection followed just hours after Shekarau tendered his resignation from the PDP. In a letter dated April 19, 2026, addressed to the Giginyu Ward Chairman in Nassarawa Local Government, he stated that his departure was effective immediately. He maintained a cordial tone in the correspondence, expressing gratitude to the local leadership for their guidance and copying the state and local government chairmen to ensure the party hierarchy was fully informed.

The move puts an end to months of political uncertainty surrounding Shekarau’s future, which had been clouded by internal friction within the PDP. Earlier in the month, during a meeting with APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, Shekarau had openly criticized the PDP, suggesting that its internal crises had made it an ineffective political entity. His return to the APC was further preceded by private discussions with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the current Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf.

Shekarau, who served as Kano’s governor between 2003 and 2011, is well-known for his frequent shifts across the political aisle. Though he was a founding member of the APC, he has moved between the PDP and the APC multiple times over the last decade, including a notable departure from the PDP in 2018 followed by a subsequent return.