Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is reportedly set to defect from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), having secured the backing of a majority of elected officials, party executives, and influential support groups in the state. This development comes after weeks of consultations across Kano’s political landscape, signaling a significant rift in the long-standing alliance between Yusuf and his mentor, former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who is the NNPP’s national leader.
Kwankwaso has openly opposed the governor’s planned move, and in response, has opened a “loyalty register” at his residence in Kano to document elected officials and political groups willing to remain with the NNPP. Despite this, Governor Yusuf has garnered significant support from within the influential Kwankwasiyya political movement, indicating an internal realignment that weakens Kwankwaso’s hold on the structure.
The governor’s supporters argue that the planned defection aims to free the administration from Kwankwaso’s perceived overbearing political influence, allowing Yusuf to pursue governance and development priorities independently. On the other hand, opponents describe the move as a betrayal of the political struggle that brought the NNPP to power in Kano.
As of recent reports, several lawmakers have affirmed their loyalty to either side. Rufa’i Sani Hanga, senator representing Kano Central, along with three members of the House of Representatives, has signed Kwankwaso’s loyalty register. However, Governor Yusuf enjoys the backing of 21 members of the House of Representatives, including lawmakers from the APC. The APC has publicly declared its support for Yusuf’s planned transition.
At the state level, the majority of the 25 NNPP lawmakers in the Kano State House of Assembly are said to be loyal to the governor. Additionally, all 44 local government chairpersons, their deputies, and ward-level executives across the state have opted to follow the governor. Several Kwankwasiyya-aligned organizations have also shifted their allegiance to Governor Yusuf.
The potential defection of Governor Yusuf could significantly impact the NNPP, which currently controls only one governorship seat nationwide. Political analysts suggest that Yusuf’s move could strip the NNPP of its strongest political base and weaken its influence, as well as that of Kwankwaso, ahead of the 2027 general elections. The development is expected to have far-reaching implications for the political landscape in Kano State and beyond.
