KANO – The political relationship between Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) leader Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso has broken down irretrievably over the governor’s planned defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
While Governor Yusuf celebrated his 63rd birthday in Abuja on Monday, Kwankwaso stayed back in Kano, opening a “loyalty register” to identify faithful members of his Kwankwasiyya Movement amid the escalating crisis.
The governor has secured support from the 40-member Kano State House of Assembly and all 44 local government chairmen for his move to the APC, but federal lawmakers from the NNPP are divided.
Of the 13 NNPP members in the House of Representatives from Kano, at least five—including Aliyu Sani Madaki (Dala) and Abdulmumin Jibrin (Bebeji/Kiru)—have already defected to the APC. Others remain undecided or loyal to Kwankwaso.
Governor Yusuf’s defection, originally scheduled for Monday, was postponed to January 12 by the APC national leadership to allow further consultations.
The move is seen as a strategic bid by Yusuf to secure the APC governorship ticket for 2027 and strengthen the ruling party’s dominance in Kano.
Kwankwaso, who has publicly warned against betrayal of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, is reportedly considering a move to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in protest.
The deepening rift has already triggered leadership changes in the state NNPP chapter, with the national secretariat dissolving all executive committees in response.
Disclaimer:
This report is based on political developments and insider sources. CDA News Nigeria monitors political realignments as part of its coverage of Nigeria’s democratic processes.
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