A political storm is brewing in Kano State as an old video recording of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf passionately pledging unwavering loyalty to his political mentor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has resurfaced and gone viral online. The video's re-emergence comes at a critical time, directly contradicting widespread and persistent rumours that Governor Yusuf is on the verge of defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Viral Pledge of Loyalty
In the now-controversial video, believed to have been recorded around July 2024 during a late-night interaction with journalists at the Kano Government House, Governor Yusuf left no room for ambiguity regarding his allegiance. He emphatically stated that loyalty is a core part of his political identity and that of the Kano people.
The governor directly addressed the source of his political ascendancy, acknowledging Senator Kwankwaso's pivotal role. "God gave me the opportunity to be governor, but Kwankwaso's support made it possible. Why should I betray him?" Yusuf questioned in the footage. He went further to dismiss any suggestions of a rift between them as "insulting and divisive," accusing political detractors of sowing discord. The governor also specifically denied reports that he was ignoring phone calls from the former governor.
Defection Rumours and Loud Silence
The timing of the video's resurgence is particularly striking. It circulates as Governor Yusuf has maintained a "loud silence" regarding the intense speculation about his planned move to the APC. This silence has allowed the rumours to deepen and spread throughout Nigeria's political circles.
Reports indicate that the governor has allegedly secured majority support within his circle for the defection, a move political analysts see as a strategic calculation to secure his future ahead of the 2027 general elections. This potential shift has reportedly triggered a significant crisis within the NNPP in Kano, splitting the party into factions and sparking renewed debates about the dynamics of godfatherism in Nigerian politics.
Kwankwaso's Reaction and the Road to 2027
Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the 2023 NNPP presidential candidate and a former two-term governor of Kano, has not been passive in the face of these developments. According to earlier reports, Kwankwaso issued a stern warning to his political opponents, hinting at a major shocker from the NNPP in the 2027 polls.
His reaction is seen as a crucial move to consolidate the party's base and respond to the internal threat posed by his protégé's alleged plans. The fallout between the once-close allies underscores the volatile nature of political alliances in Nigeria and sets the stage for a fierce battle for control of Kano's political landscape.
The resurfaced video now serves as a powerful and inconvenient reminder of promises made, casting a long shadow over Governor Yusuf's current political manoeuvres and leaving the public to judge the contrast between past vows and present actions.
