In a seismic shift poised to redraw Nigeria's political map, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf is reportedly on the verge of leaving the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC). According to exclusive reports, the defection is scheduled for the first week of January 2026, marking a decisive end to his decades-long political partnership with former governor and party leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The End of an Era: Breaking from Kwankwaso
This planned move signifies the collapse of a political bond that has lasted nearly forty years. Governor Yusuf, widely seen as a protégé of Kwankwaso, appears ready to sever ties with his political benefactor. The defection is expected to be so comprehensive that it could effectively erase the NNPP's presence from the roster of Nigeria's ruling states, consolidating the APC's dominance in the crucial political heartland of Kano.
Insiders reveal that the governor has been meticulously planning this transition for some time. With APC congresses slated for February 2026, Yusuf is said to have perfected strategies to not only join the ruling party but to also take full control of its structure in Kano State. This suggests a move aimed at securing his political future ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Securing a Political Base: Lawmakers and Chairmen Align
The governor's defection plan is reportedly backed by substantial support within the state's legislative and local government apparatus. Sources indicate that at least 25 out of the 27 NNPP members in the Kano State House of Assembly, including the Speaker, Yusuf Falgore, have endorsed his move to the APC.
Similarly, a significant number of local government chairmen are expected to follow the governor, despite some maintaining loyalty to Kwankwaso. At the national level, the defection wave is also strong, with only Kwankwaso's son-in-law, the member representing Tarauni Federal Constituency, firmly expected to remain with the NNPP leader. Other federal lawmakers are described as being "on the fence," carefully weighing their options.
Kwankwaso's Lament and the Deputy Governor's Fate
As news of the mass defection plans gathered momentum, Rabiu Kwankwaso reportedly summoned state assembly members to a meeting at his residence on December 26, 2025. During the tense gathering, he acknowledged the governor's imminent departure and told legislators they were free to follow him. Kwankwaso expressed bewilderment at the lack of a convincing reason for the exodus, reminding them of their divine-backed victory in 2023 and questioning, “Will the God that gave us power in 2023 not be around in 2027?”
The political fallout has already identified its first major casualty. Deputy Governor Aminu Abdulsalam is facing the threat of impeachment. Insiders claim Governor Yusuf is proposing Murtala Sule-Garo, the APC's deputy governorship candidate in the 2023 election, as a replacement. Furthermore, Nasiru Gawuna, the APC's gubernatorial flagbearer in 2023, is being positioned as the party's candidate for the Kano Central senatorial seat in 2027.
This defection is not a sudden development. Reports indicate a deepening rift within the NNPP since the Supreme Court judgment on the Kano governorship election. Governor Yusuf had previously made efforts to convince Kwankwaso to join the APC. By late 2024, the slogan “Abba Tsaya da Kafarka” (Abba, stand on your feet), calling for the governor's independence, had become popular in Kano, reflecting the growing schism.
As of the latest reports, the governor's spokesman, Sanusi Dawakintofa, had not responded to requests for comment. Barring any last-minute reversal, Kano is set to witness a historic political realignment in January 2026, one that will fundamentally reshape the landscape of one of Nigeria's most politically significant states.
