Former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau has weighed in on the possible 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 said Yusuf should not be accused of betrayal if he chooses to switch parties. His remarks come amid growing tension within the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya political movement, where reports of Yusuf’s potential defection have sparked concern.
Shekarau’s comments were prompted by NNPP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, who recently suggested that Yusuf should relinquish his mandate before joining another party. Shekarau called Kwankwaso’s stance inconsistent with his own past actions, noting that Kwankwaso left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC while serving as governor without vacating his office. “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 apparent double standard.
According to Shekarau, Kwankwaso’s precedent supports the possibility of Yusuf’s defection to the APC. The potential move has heightened tensions within the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya movement, with some members worrying about its implications. Shekarau, however, suggests that the party should not be surprised if Yusuf decides to switch parties, given the example set by Kwankwaso.
As the situation unfolds, it remains unclear how the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya movement will respond to Yusuf’s possible defection. The development carries significant implications for Kano State’s political landscape and the broader Nigerian scene, especially with the 2023 elections still fresh in memory. A shift in party allegiance by a key figure like Governor Yusuf could have far‑reaching consequences.
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