The immediate past Commissioner for Water Resources in Kano State, Umar Haruna Doguwa, has emerged as the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Doguwa was elected during the party’s state congress held in Kano in the early hours of Wednesday.
Naijaonpoint understands that delegates drawn from the 44 local government areas of the state endorsed Doguwa and other consensus candidates through a voice vote at the congress.
The exercise was supervised by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, whose presence, party leaders said, added credibility to the process.
The chairmanship position had earlier been zoned to Kano South Senatorial District, Doguwa’s home zone, in line with the party’s internal arrangements.
He succeeds Abdullahi Abbas, who served as the party’s state chairman for about 10 years.
Before contesting for the chairmanship, Doguwa resigned as Commissioner for Water Resources in the cabinet of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf ahead of the congress.
His emergence is seen by party stakeholders as part of a broader realignment within the APC structure in the state.
Speaking after the congress, the Chairman of the State Congress Committee, Rabiu Bichi, disclosed that 2,420 accredited delegates took part in the process.
He noted that the conduct of the exercise reflected internal democracy within the party and commended members for their orderly behaviour.
Bichi added that the presence of INEC officials strengthened the credibility of the congress. In his acceptance remarks, Doguwa expressed gratitude to party leaders and delegates for the confidence reposed in him.
“I am humbled by the trust of our delegates and party leaders. My focus will be to unite every member and strengthen our structures across Kano State,” he said.
He pledged to prioritise unity and inclusiveness in order to consolidate the party’s strength ahead of future political contests.
In his remarks, the outgoing chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, described the congress as a joyous moment for the party.
He thanked members for their support during his decade-long tenure and urged them to extend the same cooperation to the new leadership.
Governor Yusuf congratulated the newly elected executives and charged them to justify the confidence reposed in them.
“The success of this party in Kano depends on discipline, unity, and commitment. I urge the new leadership to work tirelessly to achieve our shared vision,” the governor said.
Other officials elected at the congress include Salisu Majje Ahmed Gwangwazo as Deputy Chairman; Prof. Yusuf Mohammed as Secretary; Nura Yaro as Assistant Secretary; Abdul Adamu (SAN) as Legal Adviser; Bashir Yusuf as Assistant Legal Adviser; and Farouq Abdullahi Garo as Financial Secretary.
Also elected were Salisu Yahaya as Youth Leader; Musadiq Wazari as Assistant Youth Leader; Abubakar Salisu as Auditor; and Hajiya Fatima Abdullahi Dala as Women Leader, among others.
The newly elected officials were sworn in at the end of the congress amid cheers from party faithful.