The political landscape in Kano State is facing a seismic shift as Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf prepares to defect from the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). This move has sent shockwaves through the camp of his political godfather, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, throwing the influential Kwankwasiyya Movement into a state of confusion and crisis.
Irreversible Move Driven by Internal NNPP Crisis
According to reports, Governor Yusuf's decision to join the APC is final and "irreversible," even if it results in a complete break with Senator Kwankwaso. The governor arrived at this conclusion after holding extensive consultations with key stakeholders across Kano State.
An insider revealed that these consultations included members of the Kano State House of Assembly, local government chairmen, and federal lawmakers representing the state. The defection is reportedly scheduled for January 2026, which would mark the end of a political alliance that has lasted for decades.
A senior aide to the governor, who spoke anonymously, cited the internal crises within the NNPP as the primary driver. The aide stated that the party is "no longer a viable platform" due to numerous litigations against it. Furthermore, the source alleged that even if Governor Yusuf remained in the NNPP, Kwankwaso's inner circle had already decided to deny him the party's ticket for the 2027 gubernatorial election.
Power Struggle and the Fear of Being Outshone
The political rift appears to be deeply personal and strategic. The governor's aide claimed that the core issue is that Kwankwaso's camp does not want Governor Yusuf to "outshine Kwankwaso." They perceive the governor's visible work and growing popularity as a threat, and their alleged plan is to promote the deputy governor for the top job in 2027.
"Kwankwaso does not want this governor back. He wants a new one. If APC gives him the opportunity to replace the current governor, he will accept," the aide asserted, highlighting the drawn battle lines. This planned defection fundamentally questions the future of the Kwankwasiyya Movement as a political force ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Political Reshaping and Secured Backing
Governor Yusuf's crossover is expected to have monumental consequences. It would effectively erase the NNPP from the map of Nigeria's ruling states, leaving the party without a governorship seat. The move is poised to dramatically reshape Kano's political terrain, which is a critical battleground in national politics.
Sources indicate that the governor has already secured the backing of a significant number of state lawmakers and local government chairmen, making his defection appear unstoppable. This groundswell of support from grassroots leaders was reportedly based on the need for a strategic political shift. Interestingly, Senator Kwankwaso himself has acknowledged the impending defection, even suggesting that lawmakers should follow the governor.
The defection of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from the NNPP to the APC is more than a mere party switch; it is a political earthquake that destabilizes a major faction, signals the potential collapse of a national party, and sets the stage for a fierce struggle for control of Kano State's political future.
