KANO – Speculations over the planned defection of Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) remain unconfirmed as the widely rumoured date of Monday, January 12, passed without an official announcement or registration event.
Contrary to expectations, the governor did not appear at the APC Ɗiso Ward office in Gwale Local Government Area to obtain a membership card. The ward chairman, Malam Maje Kabir Ahmad, told journalists that while they were prepared to receive him, no directive had been received from party leadership regarding the governor’s registration.
“We have not received any instruction from above concerning the governor’s coming today. Nevertheless, we are fully prepared,” Ahmad stated.
The uncertainty deepened during a state event on Sunday where Governor Yusuf presided over the graduation of 2,260 vocational training beneficiaries. Political observers noted the conspicuous absence of traditional Kwankwasiyya movement symbols—no mention of its leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and no playing of his signature political songs—a break from protocol that has intensified defection rumours.
Governor Yusuf’s strained relationship with Kwankwaso, his political godfather, has been public since talks of his switch to the APC emerged. The Ɗiso Ward is politically significant, being home to both the governor and the Kano APC Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, who are reportedly related.
Analysts suggest that the delay or tactical silence may be part of careful political maneuvering, as a formal defection would reshape Kano’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections and potentially trigger mass resignations of Kwankwaso loyalists from the state cabinet.
As of now, the governor’s camp has not issued any official statement clarifying his party affiliation, leaving supporters and opponents in a state of political suspense.
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Disclaimer: This report is based on current speculations and local media coverage. The governor’s political intentions remain officially unconfirmed and subject to change.
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