A fresh political storm is brewing in Kano State as former governor and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has made serious allegations against the state government. Kwankwaso claims that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf's administration is coercing state officials and elected local government chairmen to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Allegations of Coercion and Swift Denial
In a post on his verified social media platforms on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Kwankwaso described reports reaching him as "deeply disturbing". He stated he had received information indicating that the Kano State Government is compelling officials to sign documents signalling their defection from the NNPP to the APC, framing it as a choice between "Gandujiyya or Kwankwasiyya".
"It is very disturbing that a government would go so low," Kwankwaso remarked, warning supporters of his Kwankwasiyya movement not to take the matter lightly.
The Kano State Government, through the Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Waiya, swiftly denied the allegations on the same day. Waiya insisted that participation in any planned political movement is strictly voluntary and that no one is being forced. "What exactly happened is that our party is asking everybody—not only government officials, who are willingly ready to join the APC to do so. But nobody is being compelled," he clarified.
Deepening Rift and Reaffirmed Loyalties
The accusations come amid persistent rumours that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who was elected on the NNPP ticket in 2023, may himself defect to the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections. This speculation has reportedly strained the relationship between the governor and his former political mentor, Kwankwaso, creating significant tension within the NNPP in Kano.
Despite the uncertainty, key figures have moved to publicly reaffirm their allegiance to Kwankwaso. Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo, who returned from the lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, January 13, visited Kwankwaso at his Miller Road residence in Kano. Sources indicate the visit was to personally reaffirm Gwarzo's loyalty to the party and the Kwankwasiyya ideology.
Other senior officials, including the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Yusuf Kofar Mata, and the factional NNPP chairman in Kano, Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, have also reportedly pledged their support to Kwankwaso, signalling that a powerful bloc remains with him.
Political Calculations and a Tense Road to 2027
In a pragmatic, yet controversial, piece of advice, Kwankwaso told the local government chairmen and councillors allegedly under pressure to prioritize their safety. "Since it has reached this level, those being forced to sign the document may go ahead and do so in order not to be victimised by the government," he stated.
He also used the opportunity to thank Kwankwasiyya supporters for their steadfastness. Furthermore, Kwankwaso has previously set a condition for any potential move to the APC, stating it must come with clear guarantees on the future of the Kano state government and the welfare of party supporters.
As the controversy unfolds, Kano's political atmosphere remains charged. Analysts suggest this power struggle between Kwankwaso and Governor Yusuf could significantly reshape political alignments in Nigeria's most populous state, with major implications for the 2027 electoral battle. All eyes are now on the next moves of both the governor and his former mentor.
