Unless there are last-minute changes, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is set to abandon the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Multiple sources informed Daily Trust yesterday that the governor is likely to defect, with or without the endorsement of his political mentor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Insiders have revealed that Yusuf has made the decision to leave the NNPP after extensive consultations with stakeholders, including members of the state House of Assembly, local government chairmen, and some federal lawmakers from Kano.
In a viral video on Sunday, the governor’s Director of Protocol, Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, announced that they had resolved to follow Yusuf to the APC. Accompanied by party leaders from his local government, Rogo indicated that key figures within the Kwankwasiyya movement in Rogo LGA had agreed that both Kwankwaso and Yusuf should defect.
“We in Rogo Local Government, under the leadership of Speaker Jibrin Ismail Falgore, along with myself, the council chairman, caucus leaders, elders, and leaders of women and youth, have resolved that Kwankwaso is our leader, and he and Governor Yusuf should lead us to the APC,” Rogo said.
“This resolution is in the best interest of our people, our country, and even for Kwankwaso himself. We believe his presidential ambitions can be realised in the APC if we join now.
“This is our stance, and all the stakeholders in this local government have agreed to it. We also urge all our supporters to avoid abusive politics and refrain from insulting anyone. They are all our leaders, and we do not condone disrespect. However, we will remain loyal to Kwankwasiyya for life, and while we are currently in NNPP, we are calling on these leaders to guide us into the APC, as that is the solution for now,” he added.
He further stated that stakeholders in the area had agreed to reject abusive politics, emphasising that while they remain loyal to Kwankwasiyya, they believe that joining the APC is the best course of action at this time.
In another video, the Director-General of Media and Publicity at the Kano Government House, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, also supported the decision of his Dawakin Tofa LGA caucus to follow the governor to the APC.
During a meeting with the NNPP caucus, Dawakin Tofa LGA Chairman Anas Danmaliki noted that the Kwankwasiyya movement has split into two factions: the pro-masses and the anti-masses, but affirmed that he and all his councillors stand united with Governor Yusuf.
The Governor’s spokesperson later declared, “I, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, as a member of the caucus in the LGA, am in full agreement with whatever Danmaliki has said.”
Sources indicate that Yusuf is expected to formally announce his defection in the first week of January.
Meanwhile, Kwankwaso reportedly summoned members of the state House of Assembly to a meeting on Friday, where he acknowledged the governor’s impending departure from the NNPP.
He allegedly told the lawmakers that anyone wishing to follow Yusuf should feel free to do so.
However, Kwankwaso expressed his doubts regarding the reasons given for the defection, reminding them that the NNPP won the 2023 election “with nobody but God.”
He was quoted as asking rhetorically, “Will the God who granted us power in 2023 not be present in 2027?”
A source informed Daily Trust that when the lawmakers later sought a meeting with the governor, Yusuf told them that his decision to join the APC was “irreversible.”
Elanzanews reports that Yusuf is the only governor elected under Kwankwaso’s NNPP during the 2023 general election.
