Kwankwaso, NNPP Feel Betrayed By Gov Yusuf’s Defection — Party Spokesperson

Kwankwaso, NNPP Feel Betrayed By Governor Yusuf’s Defection

The political landscape in Kano State has been shaken by the sudden defection of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC.

This move, announced on January 26, 2026, has been described by NNPP leaders and spokespersons as a profound act of betrayal, not only to the party’s national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, but also to the people of Kano who rallied behind the NNPP in the 2023 elections.

Governor Yusuf, once regarded as Kwankwaso’s protégé and a product of the Kwankwasiyya movement, rose to power through the grassroots strength and symbolism of the red-cap tradition. His victory in 2023 was widely credited to Kwankwaso’s influence and the loyalty of Kano’s electorate, who endured years of what they considered poor governance under the APC and turned to the NNPP for change.

The NNPP spokesperson, Ladipo Johnson, emphasized that the party had no political structure in Kano before the election, yet managed to secure victory through sheer popular support. He argued that Yusuf’s defection, without consulting the electorate, amounted to handing power back to those who had been rejected, thereby betraying public trust.

The party’s Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Karaye, echoed this sentiment, describing the development as devastating and deeply hurtful. He insisted that the NNPP remained strong in Kano despite the governor’s departure, dismissing claims that Yusuf defected due to internal crises. Karaye alleged that party leaders had limited access to the governor in recent months, suggesting that Yusuf deliberately closed his doors to advice and consultation.

Governor Yusuf, however, defended his decision during the defection ceremony at the Coronation Hall in Kano, where he was joined by 22 members of the Kano State House of Assembly and nine members of the House of Representatives.

He explained that the move followed extensive consultations across the state and was aimed at strengthening governance and accelerating development. In his words, political parties are vehicles, and the ultimate destination is to bring positive change to the people. He urged the public to judge his decision by the work his administration would deliver.

Prominent APC leaders, including former party chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, welcomed Yusuf into the APC fold, symbolically raising his hands in solidarity. This marked a dramatic shift in Kano’s political dynamics, given Yusuf’s long-standing ties to Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya movement.

The defection highlights the growing tension between Kwankwaso and Yusuf, who had remained loyal during prolonged court battles over his mandate but eventually sought independence as a constitutionally elected governor.

While Kwankwaso and the NNPP feel betrayed, Yusuf’s move underscores the fluid nature of Nigerian politics, where alliances shift rapidly and personal ambitions often redefine party loyalties.

In the aftermath, the NNPP faces the challenge of maintaining its political strength in Kano without its most prominent officeholder, while Kwankwaso must navigate the fallout of losing a trusted ally.

The defection is not just a political maneuver; it is a test of loyalty, trust, and the resilience of grassroots movements in Nigeria’s evolving democracy.