The political landscape in Kano State is undergoing a significant realignment as a major rift between the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, comes to a head. The crisis was triggered by Governor Yusuf's successful mobilization of majority support to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Kwankwaso's Countermove: The Loyalty Register
In a swift response to the impending defection, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the 2023 NNPP presidential candidate, has initiated a decisive countermeasure. He has opened a formal "loyalty register" at his Miller Road residence in Kano. This register is designed to officially document the names of elected officials, party executives, and influential support groups who pledge to remain with the NNPP amidst the brewing storm.
This strategic move comes directly after reports confirmed that Governor Abba Yusuf had secured the consent of a majority of the party's elected officials and key figures within the influential Kwankwasiyya movement to cross over to the APC. According to sources, Governor Yusuf has successfully rallied the backing of 21 members of the House of Representatives, while Kwankwaso is said to retain the support of three federal lawmakers and one senator.
The Roots of the Rift and 2027 Warnings
The planned defection marks a dramatic fallout between the governor and his long-time political mentor. Insiders suggest that Governor Yusuf's primary motivation is to seek "liberation" from Kwankwaso's perceived overbearing influence and to gain the autonomy to address Kano's development challenges independently. However, opponents within their former camp have labeled the governor's move as the "ultimate betrayal" of their shared political struggle.
Addressing supporters at his Kano residence, a defiant Rabiu Kwankwaso issued a stern warning to his political opponents, cautioning them against underestimating the NNPP's strength. He confidently stated that the party would defy expectations and deliver surprises in the 2027 general elections. Kwankwaso argued that those unfamiliar with the intricate dynamics of Nigerian politics are underrating the NNPP's resolve and structure.
He used the occasion to reassure his supporters, urging them to stay focused and committed as the next election cycle approaches. This warning sets the stage for a heightened political confrontation in the lead-up to 2027.
Implications for Kano and National Politics
The escalating crisis has effectively split the NNPP in Kano into clear factions, causing significant destabilization within the party's stronghold. The situation has also reignited national debates about the role of godfatherism and political mentorship in Nigeria's governance.
If Governor Yusuf's defection is finalized, it would represent a major coup for the APC, effectively bringing one of the opposition's key states under its control. Conversely, Kwankwaso's loyalty register is a fight to retain the core structure of the NNPP and prove its viability as a standalone political force capable of challenging the established parties in future polls.
The coming weeks are critical as both sides consolidate their positions, with the stability of Kano's political environment and the balance of power in the North-West hanging in the balance.
