President Bola Tinubu is exercising caution over the potential defection of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) due to the lack of a firm commitment from Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement. This development was disclosed by Arise News Editor for Politics, Sumner Sambo, on Arise Television’s Morning Show.
The political landscape in Kano State has placed Governor Yusuf in a challenging position, as President Tinubu’s interest is largely tied to the influence and structure of the Kwankwasiyya movement rather than the governor’s personal political weight. Without Kwankwaso’s defection to the APC, Governor Yusuf’s political trajectory is likely to face significant challenges, particularly in utilizing the state’s political structure to deliver Kano for the ruling party.
According to Sambo, the planned electronic registration of the APC in Kano State has been stalled. The registration exercise was expected to commence but was delayed following a directive that Governor Yusuf should be given approximately a week to be the first to register. Additionally, the governor was tasked with engaging Kwankwaso in further discussions aimed at persuading him to join the APC. However, Kwankwaso’s continued reluctance to defect has led to a stalemate in the party’s registration process in the state.
The situation in Kano is complex, with President Tinubu seemingly aware of the implications of Kwankwaso’s decision. The president’s skepticism about Governor Yusuf’s potential defection is rooted in the understanding that the Kwankwasiyya movement’s influence is crucial to the APC’s success in the state. As a result, the electronic registration of the APC in Kano State remains on hold, pending the outcome of Governor Yusuf’s efforts to persuade Kwankwaso to join the party.
The stalemate in Kano has significant implications for the APC’s prospects in the state. The party’s ability to deliver Kano will depend on the successful registration of its members and the cooperation of key stakeholders, including the Kwankwasiyya movement. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Governor Yusuf will be able to persuade Kwankwaso to join the APC, paving the way for the party’s electronic registration to proceed. The outcome of this development will have important consequences for the political landscape in Kano State and the APC’s national ambitions.
