The New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) in Kano State has publicly disowned Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf over his widely reported plans to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The party has also moved to quell rumours about its national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, following suit.
Party Leadership Issues Stern Rejection
Addressing a press conference on Monday, December 29, 2025, the Kano State NNPP Chairman, Hashim Dungurawa, described the governor's intended defection as a gross betrayal of the party's trust. He stated that the move did not have the blessing of the party's national leadership or its founder, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Dungurawa, speaking on behalf of the state and national chapters, as well as affiliated groups like the Kwankwasiyya movement, CRC, and Lafiya Jari, revealed that leaders had tried to persuade those planning to defect to remain. He appealed to them "for the sake of Allah and the Prophet" not to join the APC, a party he said the masses had rejected.
He further cautioned the governor against compelling party leaders and members of the NNPP caucus to sign any documents at the Government House, urging him to respect the party's sanctity.
Behind the Scenes of the Planned Defection
Despite the party's strong stance, political insiders indicate that Governor Yusuf's defection is proceeding, with a major event tentatively scheduled for January 6, 2026. The governor has reportedly intensified consultations with key political figures across Kano ahead of the APC congresses in February.
Sources confirm that several NNPP lawmakers, including the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Yusuf Falgore, have already endorsed the governor's planned crossover. The move has also received backing from party stakeholders in Dawakin Tofa and Rogo Local Government Areas.
Deputy Governor Shake-Up Looms
The anticipated political realignment has triggered discussions about the office of the deputy governor. Reliable sources disclose that Governor Yusuf may pick Kabiru Alhassan Rurum as his deputy following the defection.
This development means the APC's 2023 deputy governorship candidate, Murtala Sule Garo, is being dropped in favour of Rurum, signaling a significant reshuffle within the state's APC structure as it prepares to absorb the defecting governor.
The situation presents a major crisis for the NNPP in its flagship state and sets the stage for a dramatic political battle in Kano, with the loyalty of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf now firmly in question and the party scrambling to reaffirm its core identity around Senator Kwankwaso.
