The absence of key All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in Kano State during Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s condolence visit to the family of the late elder statesman, Aminu Dantata, has stirred speculation about growing cracks within the party.
While top officials of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)-led Kano State Government were present to receive the Vice President last Thursday, notable APC chieftains in the state were conspicuously missing.
Naijaonpoint reports that the visit was part of Shettima’s official condolence to the family of Dantata, the revered philanthropist and business icon who recently passed away, and to commiserate with the people of Kano.
According to Daily Trust, the absence of Kano APC leaders during such a high-profile event was seen as unusual, particularly given the party’s history of strong political influence in the state.
Their absence, coming on the heels of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s resignation as APC National Chairman on June 27, raised eyebrows.
Ganduje, a former two-term governor of Kano, remains a highly influential figure in the state’s political landscape, and his ouster is widely believed to have caused significant ripples within the party.
Although the reason for Ganduje’s exit is yet to be officially stated, many believe internal power struggles ahead of the 2027 elections played a significant role. Pundits now wonder whether Shettima’s presence in Kano, shortly after Ganduje’s resignation, triggered an unspoken protest by loyalists of the former chairman.
APC Reacts: ‘It Was A Communication Gap’
In response to the speculations, the Secretary of the APC in Kano, Ibrahim Zakari Sarina, who spoke with Daily Trust, dismissed any suggestion of a boycott or political disloyalty. According to him, the party’s absence was unintentional and caused by late communication.
Sarina said, “We were fully aware of the visit, but communication came late. Before we could mobilise and move, it was already too late. Because the government was closer and already prepared, it took charge of the reception.
“Honestly, it has no link to any political development whatsoever. We were just informed late, and even the state government was informed late. We later extended our appreciation to him (vice president) for the visit, and he fully understood the situation.”
Despite the party’s explanation, reactions among supporters have remained divided. An APC supporter in Gwale, Abdullahi Kabiru, expressed his disappointment.
He said, “This is the Vice President of the country, and we couldn’t even organise a reception for him? That sends a very wrong message. Whether it was miscommunication or not, it reflects disunity.”
On the other hand, Amina Sani from Tarauni defended the party’s explanation, saying, “I believe the explanation by the party is valid. Things happen in politics, especially with schedules shifting. But I also hope this doesn’t become a habit. We must respect our leaders and their offices regardless of any political differences.”
Political analyst, Musa Auwal, described the situation’s optics as concerning, urging the party to address any emerging rifts swiftly.
Auwal said, “Whether or not the incident was deliberate, the optics matter. When top party leaders appear divided in public, it weakens the base and emboldens opposition forces
“The APC in Kano has always played a major role in national politics, and any friction between the Kano structure and the presidency or perceived disloyalty could be politically costly in the long run.”