Former Kano State Governor, Kabiru Gaya, has explained the circumstances surrounding his recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, saying his decision to return to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was motivated by patriotism and a commitment to national service.
Speaking during an interview with BBC Hausa, Gaya said the meeting came after visits to his residence by APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, and former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who urged him to rejoin the ruling party.
According to Gaya, Yilwatda informed him that President Bola Tinubu and other APC leaders recognized his longstanding contributions to the party.
Reflecting on the formation of the APC, Gaya said he was among the party’s founding members alongside Tinubu.
“We first met to discuss the APC. I was one of those who founded the party. President Tinubu and I were members, and he chaired the committee that selected the party’s symbol,” Gaya said.
He added that after considering several options, the party eventually adopted the broom as its official symbol before going on to win the general election.
Gaya revealed that following Ganduje’s visit, he received an invitation from the Presidency to meet Tinubu alongside Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and Senator Rufai Hanga.
During the meeting, he said he told the President that some founding members of the APC had been sidelined after the party assumed power.
However, Gaya clarified that there were no discussions about political appointments, personal benefits, or conditions for his return to the party. Instead, he said Tinubu encouraged them to remain committed to the administration they helped establish.
Explaining his decision to rejoin the APC, Gaya said it was based solely on patriotism and his desire to continue serving Nigerians.
He also ruled out any ambition to contest for the Senate, noting that the party’s primaries had already been concluded and candidates had emerged.
“At this point, the issue of contesting for the Senate is over because the primaries have been concluded and candidates have already emerged. There is nothing left,” he said.
Gaya added that he remains willing to accept any responsibility assigned to him by the APC in the interest of the people.
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