KANO (North-West, Nigeria) — Hundreds of women supporters of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdulsalam Abdulkarim Zaura, popularly known as AA Zaura, on Wednesday staged a solidarity march in Kano, insisting that the party must give him a fair political opportunity ahead of the 2027 elections.
The women, under the banner of AA Zaura Women Mobilisation Forum led by Binta Rabiu Zaura, marched through major streets in Kano metropolis declaring “No Zaura, no vote.”
The supporters were seen carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Justice for AA Zaura,” “Reward loyalty,” and “Kano women stand with Zaura.”
The rally comes amid growing political tension within the Kano All Progressive Congress, APC over the Kano Central Senatorial ticket following the emergence of former governor Ibrahim Shekarau as consensus candidate after a reconciliation meeting involving party stakeholders.
Addressing journalists during the procession, the coordinator of the group, Binta Rabiu Zaura, said the women were demanding fairness and recognition for Zaura’s contributions to the party and the people of Kano.
“We are here to tell the leadership of the APC that AA Zaura has sacrificed so much for this party and for the people. He deserves justice and fair treatment,” she said.
According to her, Zaura has empowered thousands of youths and women across the state through humanitarian and business support initiatives.
“He has touched many lives, especially among women and young people. We cannot sit quietly and watch him being sidelined,” she added.
The protesters also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and APC national leaders to intervene in the political situation in Kano and ensure what they described as a transparent and inclusive process.
One of the protesters, Amina Musa, said many grassroots supporters were unhappy with recent developments surrounding the Kano Central senatorial ticket.
“We are loyal party members, but loyalty should be rewarded. If there is no justice for AA Zaura, many people may lose interest in participating,” she said.
Zaura had recently claimed that his ambition to contest for the Kano Central Senatorial seat was “taken away” from him against his wish.
He went ahead to say he was not invited to the reconciliation meeting where several aspirants stepped down for Shekarau.