Kwankwaso's NNPP Faction Faces Fresh Crisis in Kano as Prominent Ally Appears With APC Power Brokers
The political landscape in Kano State has been thrown into fresh turmoil as the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) faction led by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso confronts a significant crisis. This development follows the public appearance of Honorable Ahmad Garba Bichi, a key ally and trusted figure within the Kwankwaso camp, alongside prominent chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Public Alignment Sparks Confusion and Fear
Bichi, widely regarded as one of the last remaining pillars of the Kwankwaso faction, was sighted on Monday, February 16, at a welcoming event for Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. His visible alignment with APC figures has created widespread confusion among NNPP members and raised serious concerns about the stability and future direction of the faction.
Sources within the NNPP have described this development as a major setback, with one anonymous member expressing deep disappointment: "I have never expected this. It is a big blow to us. Honorable Bichi was seen by many of us as a pillar that would help hold the structure together. Now that he has embraced the governor, we don't know what to expect next or tell our supporters."
Chain Reaction of Defections Feared
The source further expressed apprehension that Bichi's move might trigger a chain reaction, with more chieftains expected to defect to the APC in the coming days. "I feared this was just the beginning. I know many of our leaders are already making contacts because many are still confused about what the future holds," the source added, highlighting the growing uncertainty within the Kwankwaso camp.
Meanwhile, this development has generated excitement among Governor Yusuf's new political associates within the APC. Members of the governor's faction, who recently defected from the NNPP, have expressed glee on social media, openly mocking the Kwankwaso camp for its diminishing influence.
APC Celebrates Political Shift
Honorable Ibrahim Adam, a special adviser to Governor Yusuf who defected from Kwankwaso's camp, commented on the situation: "Seeing many Garba Bichi at the state Government's house today has shocked many of our friends in the other camp. Just wait a little, in the next few days to come, you will see the worst shock."
Adam further described how the Kwankwasiyya political structure in Kano is collapsing, noting that formidable party members at all levels are now pledging loyalty to Governor Yusuf. "Even those they thought were loyal and were with them have all defected to the Governor's camp. All formidable party members from the ward, local government, and state levels are now with the Governor," he asserted.
Background of the Political Crisis
The current political crisis rocking the NNPP in Kano State dates back to January 2026, when Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf defected to the APC. The governor cited persistent internal challenges arising from leadership disagreements and ongoing legal processes within the NNPP as reasons for his departure.
His exit triggered a massive political realignment that included:
- 21 members of the Kano State House of Assembly
- 8 members of the House of Representatives
- All 44 local government chairmen
This mass movement left the Kwankwaso faction significantly weakened, with only Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo and a handful of other officials remaining in the NNPP.
Kwankwaso's Reaction and APC Consolidation
Senator Kwankwaso, who has dominated Kano politics for decades through his Kwankwasiyya movement, described the governor's defection as a deep betrayal. Sources reveal that the NNPP leader was so furious that he declared January 23rd as "World Betrayal Day."
Since the defection, the APC has moved swiftly to consolidate its new hold on the state. The party's national chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, announced a power-sharing formula that allocates 60 percent of leadership positions to Governor Yusuf's Kwankwasiyya bloc and 40 percent to the existing APC structure, effectively merging the two groups under the ruling party's umbrella.
Related Developments and Future Implications
In a related development, rising APC tensions in Kano State have seen party leaders push Deputy Governor Labaran Muhammad to immediately resign. Sources indicate this pressure stems from concerns about defections ahead of the 2027 elections, with some APC members believing Muhammad's resignation could strengthen party cohesion and blunt opposition gains.
The deputy governor has not publicly resigned, and political observers note that the unfolding situation reflects deeper intra-party divides and power struggles within Kano's APC ahead of critical electoral contests. As Kano's political landscape continues to shift, Kwankwaso supporters remain anxious about the future of their faction and its influence in the state.
