Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has made a strategic return to Nigeria, landing in Lagos on Saturday, January 10, 2026. His arrival comes at a critical moment, as political circles buzz with the imminent defection of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, from the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling APC.
A Strategic Return for High-Stakes Consultations
Dr. Ganduje, who was on an extended holiday in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at approximately 4:30 p.m. aboard an Emirates Airline flight. According to a statement released by his former Chief of Staff, Mohammed Garba, the ex-APC chairman was scheduled to proceed to Abuja later that same evening.
The primary purpose of his return is to lead a series of high-level consultations and stakeholders' meetings. These engagements are focused on the seismic political shifts occurring in Kano State, particularly the planned cross-carpeting of Governor Yusuf. "There is no going back in the defection of Governor Yusuf to APC," a source close to the government confirmed to The Guardian, highlighting the determination behind the move.
Political Earthquake in Kano and the Kwankwasiyya Rift
The potential defection of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf represents one of the most significant political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections. While the APC in Kano, under Ganduje's lingering influence, celebrates the impending gain, the move has caused a deep fissure within the NNPP and the broader Kwankwasiyya political movement.
The leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has publicly distanced himself from the governor's decision. However, the ranks of loyalists are divided, with a considerable number reportedly viewing the governor's switch to the APC as a pragmatic step for the movement's future survival and relevance.
Strengthening Party Structures and E-Registration Drive
Beyond the immediate crisis consultations, Dr. Ganduje's agenda includes participating in the APC's ongoing nationwide electronic membership registration (e-registration) exercise. This initiative, which he pioneered during his tenure as National Chairman, aims to modernize the party's database and ensure credible, accessible membership records.
The statement from his office emphasized that "the former governor remains committed to strengthening party structures and promoting inclusive dialogue" to support democratic consolidation within the APC, with a particular focus on the volatile political landscape of Kano State.
As the political drama unfolds, all eyes are on Kano, a key electoral battleground. The successful defection of Governor Yusuf could dramatically alter the calculus for the 2027 polls, granting the APC formidable dominance in the state and dealing a severe blow to the NNPP's national ambitions. Ganduje's timely return underscores the high-stakes nature of these negotiations and the APC's intent to consolidate its grip on power in the North.
