The newly appointed Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Ata, has expressed his unwavering commitment to securing Kano State for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections. In a statement shortly after his first visit to Kano following his appointment, Ata emphasized that his political mission, despite his ministerial role, is to regain control of the state for the APC.

“My appointment was mainly for political reasons,” Ata told reporters, underscoring that the APC’s loss of Kano State is now his responsibility to reverse. “Kano Central is the main challenge, and as someone from there, I will work tirelessly to ensure APC’s success in 2027.”

While Ata acknowledged his new role at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, he made it clear that his focus remains on Kano. “Even as a minister, I will continue to stay engaged with my community in Kano. I will be coming here every week to ensure APC regains control,” he added.

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Ata expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the appointment, clarifying that it was not just for his personal gain, but for the benefit of the citizens of Kano and Nigeria. “I assure the President that in 2027, APC will win Kano,” Ata declared.

His remarks came in the wake of criticism from Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, the former Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, who had recently been dismissed in a cabinet reshuffle. Gwarzo, in an interview with BBC Hausa, expressed his disagreement with the decision to replace him with Ata, calling it a political misstep. He suggested that APC’s 2023 gubernatorial candidate, Nasiru Gawuna, should have been appointed instead, particularly given his influence in the Kano Central senatorial district.

Gwarzo, who had been informed of his sacking prior to the announcement, pointed out that there were no performance-related issues behind the decision, but rather, what he suspected to be internal party politics. “If the ministerial slot was to go to Kano Central, why not choose Gawuna, who was our 2023 governorship candidate?” he questioned.