Kano State was gripped by heightened security and political suspense on Monday, January 12, 2026, as a major security operation unfolded around the Government House. This development comes amid intense speculation that the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, is finalising plans to defect from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Security Blanket Over Government House
A combined team of operatives from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) deployed heavily around the seat of power in Kano. The security build-up, noted on Monday, included the strategic positioning of several armoured personnel carriers at key access points, including the main gate and the roundabout leading into the premises.
Movement in and out of the area was subjected to rigorous scrutiny and identification checks, creating an unusual atmosphere of tension. While security officials declined to give an official statement, a source within the agencies described the action as a "routine proactive measure" to prevent hoodlums from exploiting the prevailing political climate to cause unrest.
The Impending Political Earthquake
Political circles in Kano have been buzzing with reports that Governor Abba Yusuf's much-anticipated crossover to the APC is imminent. Although no specific date has been fixed for the formal declaration, sources indicate that plans for the defection are nearing completion.
The move is seen as a significant blow to the NNPP, which has Governor Yusuf as its sole governor and a key leader. Interestingly, the party's national leadership, in a statement by its National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major, has thrown its weight behind the governor. The party stated its commitment to support Yusuf, its leader, to succeed in Kano, despite the face-off with the party's 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Kwankwasiyya Movement and Public Sentiment
The political drama is deeply intertwined with the Kwankwasiyya movement, the political machinery of former governor Rabiu Kwankwaso. In a surprising twist in December 2025, supporters under the Kwankwasiyya aegis had publicly urged both Kwankwaso and Governor Yusuf to defect to the APC.
A close aide revealed that before Kwankwaso left Kano for Abuja, the governor had cautioned officials in his administration against making any derogatory remarks about him. Furthermore, Muhammad Adamu Nababa, the Pioneer Director of Planning, Research and Statistics in the Kano Government House, claimed that the generality of Kano indigenes supports the governor's planned move to the APC.
Ripple Effects and Community Anxiety
The visible security reinforcement did not go unnoticed by residents, spilling anxiety into surrounding neighbourhoods. A source reported that some schools dismissed pupils earlier than scheduled after parents were alerted. Traffic also began to build up along adjoining roads as the afternoon progressed, reflecting the palpable tension in the city.
As Kano holds its breath, the focus remains on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf's next move. The strengthening of security around the Government House underscores the high-stakes nature of the impending political realignment, which could reshape the landscape of power in one of Nigeria's most politically significant states.
