The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has expressed disappointment over the defection of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). According to NNPP National Secretary Dipo Olayoku, this move signifies a broader collapse of constitutional federalism in Nigeria.
Governor Yusuf’s defection, which took place on Monday, was accompanied by 22 members of the Kano State House of Assembly and nine federal lawmakers. The governor cited the need for better alignment with the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu to improve cooperation and accelerate development in the state.
Olayoku, speaking on a radio program, described the defection as unsettling but not entirely surprising. He attributed the decision to the current federal structure, which he believes undermines true federalism and reduces state governors to subordinates of the presidency. Olayoku emphasized that the pressures of democracy and resistance from federal institutions can make governance challenging for state governors.
The NNPP secretary drew parallels with the case of Governor Siminalayi Fubara in Rivers State, highlighting the intense pressure from the ruling party. He cautioned that the trend of defections poses a threat to Nigeria’s multiparty democracy, extending beyond party politics. Olayoku stressed that this development is a wake-up call for Nigerians, as the country’s multiparty democracy is under serious threat.
The defection of Governor Yusuf and other lawmakers has significant implications for the political landscape in Nigeria. As the country navigates its democratic system, the NNPP’s concerns about the erosion of federalism and the influence of the ruling party on state governments will likely continue to be a topic of discussion. The impact of this defection on the governance and development of Kano State, as well as the broader implications for Nigerian democracy, will be closely watched in the coming months.
