Political tension has reached a new peak in Kano State following the emergence of fresh details concerning Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf's reported plan to abandon the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Irreversible Decision and Presidential-Level Negotiations
According to credible sources close to the governor, the decision to defect is now final and cannot be reversed. Preparations are said to be at an advanced stage, with the driving forces originating from beyond the borders of Kano State. A senior aide to Governor Yusuf confirmed to Daily Trust that while a formal announcement date is not yet fixed, the move is a settled matter.
The aide explicitly stated, "We have never fixed a date. It’s just speculation. What I can tell you is that the decision is irreversible and will be formally announced whenever everything is set." The source dismissed rumours of a planned declaration on a recent Monday, labelling them as unfounded.
Crucially, the negotiations are reportedly being handled at the highest level of the nation's leadership. The governor's aide countered narratives that consultations with local APC chieftains in Kano, like former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, were influencing the timeline. "This discussion is at the presidency level. Our joining the APC is not conditional on consulting or meeting Ganduje or anybody. It is not a Kano affair; it is a presidency affair," the source revealed, indicating the defection is being coordinated directly with the presidency or the APC's national leadership.
Governance and Political Survival as Key Motivations
The rationale behind this seismic political shift is rooted in practical governance and future electoral viability. The governor's camp argues that the NNPP is no longer a feasible platform for securing a second term in office, describing it as a party that only exists on paper.
The primary motivation, however, is positioned as the desire to better position Kano State to benefit from federal projects and support. The aide highlighted the state's massive population of over 22 million people and its enormous infrastructure challenges, which a state budget of N1.47 trillion cannot single-handedly address.
Specific projects were cited, including the Wujuwuju initiative started under Rabiu Kwankwaso's previous administration, which now requires over N100 billion to complete after a N47 billion variation. The pressing need for federal synergy in tackling banditry and securing lives and property was also emphasised as a critical factor.
The Deepening Rift with Political Godfather Kwankwaso
This planned defection has publicly exposed and widened the growing chasm between Governor Yusuf and his erstwhile political mentor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. Sources indicate that the internal tensions within the NNPP and Kwankwaso's alleged opposition to Yusuf's second-term ambition have significantly influenced the governor's decision.
The aide was quoted as saying, "...the decision remains irreversible, regardless of pressure from his estranged political godfather, Kwankwaso, who we know has even concluded not to allow the governor secure a second term." Reports confirm the governor is prepared to proceed with or without Kwankwaso's blessing.
Kwankwaso himself publicly acknowledged the rift during a recent address to supporters in Kano. He firmly distanced himself from the defection talks, stating, "I am not party to it, and I am not in support of the purported move to defect from the party. It is necessary that everyone knows this." This public declaration sets the stage for a major political confrontation in the heart of Nigeria's north.
As of early January 2026, the political landscape in Kano remains in a state of suspended animation, awaiting the formal announcement that could redefine alliances and reshape the battle for the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
