Former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau has weighed in on the potential defection of incumbent Governor Abba Yusuf from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). In an interview with DCL Hausa, Shekarau stated that Governor Yusuf should not be accused of betrayal if he decides to switch parties. This statement comes amidst growing tension within the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya political movement over reports of Yusuf’s possible defection.
Shekarau’s comments were in response to NNPP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, who recently suggested that Governor Yusuf should relinquish his mandate before defecting to another party. Shekarau described Kwankwaso’s stance as inconsistent with his past actions, citing the fact that Kwankwaso himself defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC while serving as governor without vacating his office.
According to Shekarau, Kwankwaso’s past actions set a precedent for Governor Yusuf’s potential defection. “When he was in PDP, he also left the governorship seat to APC. Why didn’t he drop it for PDP?” Shekarau asked, highlighting the inconsistency in Kwankwaso’s current position. Shekarau’s remarks suggest that Governor Yusuf’s potential defection to the APC would be a similar move, following the same pattern as Kwankwaso’s past actions.
The potential defection of Governor Yusuf has sparked tension within the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya movement, with some members expressing concerns about the implications of such a move. Shekarau’s comments, however, suggest that the party should not be surprised if Governor Yusuf decides to switch parties, given the precedent set by Kwankwaso’s past actions.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya movement will respond to Governor Yusuf’s potential defection. The development has significant implications for the political landscape in Kano State and the broader Nigerian political scene. With the 2023 elections still fresh in memory, the potential shift in party allegiance by a key figure like Governor Yusuf is likely to have far-reaching consequences.
