Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, is reportedly set to defect from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that has triggered fresh political tension across the state.
Sources close to the development said the governor may make the move with or without the consent of his political mentor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
Insiders disclosed that Gov. Yusuf has concluded wide consultations with key stakeholders, including members of the state House of Assembly, local government chairmen, and federal lawmakers from Kano State.
Speculation over the planned defection gained momentum on Sunday following the circulation of a viral video in which the governor’s Director of Protocol, Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, openly declared support for Gov. Yusuf’s alleged move to the APC.
Speaking alongside party leaders in Rogo Local Government Area, Rogo said influential figures within the Kwankwasiyya Movement in the area had resolved that both Kwankwaso and Gov. Yusuf should defect to the APC.
He argued that the decision was in the best interest of the people and would better position Kwankwaso to realise his long-standing presidential ambition.
“We have resolved that Kwankwaso is our leader, and that he and Governor Yusuf should take us to the APC,” Rogo said, while urging supporters to shun abusive politics and remain loyal to the Kwankwasiyya ideology despite the planned move.
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Similarly, the Director-General, Media and Publicity at the Kano Government House, Sanusi Bature, also endorsed the alleged defection in another video, aligning himself with the decision of his Dawakin Tofa Local Government caucus to follow the governor to the APC.
At a meeting of NNPP caucuses in Dawakin Tofa, the local government Chairman, Anas Danmaliki, claimed the Kwankwasiyya Movement had split into “pro-masses and anti-masses,” declaring his full support for Gov. Yusuf.
Sanusi Bature echoed the stance, saying he was “1,000 percent” in agreement.
Meanwhile, the NNPP in Kano has denied reports of an impending mass defection.
State Chairman of the party, Hashim Suleiman Dungurawa, said neither the state nor national leadership had endorsed any move to the APC, stressing the party’s unity and commitment to people-oriented governance.
Despite the denial, some NNPP members have reportedly defected to the APC in recent days.
Gov. Yusuf is expected, according to sources, to make a formal announcement in the first week of January, a development likely to reshape Kano’s political landscape ahead of 2027.
