Fresh political intrigues have stalled the anticipated defection of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Investigations reveal the delay stems from a critical demand by the governor that the APC leadership has so far refused to grant.
Automatic Ticket Demand at Heart of Impasse
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s major condition for crossing over to the APC is a documented assurance of an automatic ticket to contest the Kano governorship election in 2027. Sources familiar with the high-stakes negotiations confirmed that the governor tabled this request as a non-negotiable part of the defection deal.
However, the national leadership of the APC has declined to accede to this demand, preferring that Yusuf contest the party’s governorship ticket through a primary election like other aspirants. This refusal has caused significant unease within the governor’s camp and forced the repeated postponement of his formal declaration for the APC.
Clash with APC Heavyweights in Kano
The governor’s demand for an automatic ticket has predictably put him on a collision course with powerful APC figures in Kano State who nurse their own gubernatorial ambitions. Most prominent among them is the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, who is widely believed to be preparing for the 2027 race.
A source close to former governor and immediate past APC national chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, disclosed that the party is unwilling to jeopardize the political aspirations of its entrenched leaders to accommodate Yusuf. The governor is also reportedly asking for the right to nominate a minister from Kano and recommend loyalists for other federal appointments, demands seen as overly ambitious by the APC establishment.
This contrasts with the defection of other opposition governors like Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, who did not place similar stringent conditions before aligning with the APC.
Internal Complications and Public Posturing
Further complicating the political calculus is the stance of Governor Yusuf’s deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, who has vowed to remain in the NNPP. This divergence could trigger a major political crisis, including potential impeachment threats, should Yusuf defect without his deputy.
Signs that the defection remains in limbo were evident when Governor Yusuf convened the first Kano State Executive Council meeting of 2026 in Abuja on Friday, January 16. Notably, he presided over the meeting wearing his signature Kwankwasiyya red cap and with the NNPP flag displayed prominently—a clear signal of his current, albeit uncertain, party allegiance.
The political drama has also drawn a sharp reaction from NNPP national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who labeled Yusuf’s planned move an act of betrayal. Intriguingly, Kwankwaso himself has not ruled out joining the APC but stated he would only do so with a concrete agreement that offers him either the presidential or vice-presidential ticket in 2027.
Amidst the speculation, the Kano State chapter of the APC has publicly denied holding any meetings with Governor Yusuf concerning an automatic ticket. The party's secretary, Alhaji Zakari Sarina, dismissed the reports as false and politically motivated, though sources confirm closed-door meetings have indeed taken place in Abuja involving Ganduje and Senator Barau Jibrin.
The situation remains fluid, with Vice President Kashim Shettima reportedly monitoring developments and President Bola Tinubu expected to receive a final briefing. The heavy security deployment observed at the Kano State Government House earlier in the week underscores the sensitivity and high stakes of this unfolding political realignment.
