NNPP: Kwankwaso, Kano people feel betrayed by Abba Yusuf’s defection to APC

NNPP, Kwankwaso, and Kano People React to Abba Yusuf’s Defection to APC

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

His decision, announced after weeks of speculation, has triggered a wave of discontent among party loyalists, the people of Kano, and especially Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, NNPP’s national leader.

Governor Yusuf explained that his move was in the “best interest of the people of Kano state,” citing deepening internal crises and prolonged leadership disputes within the NNPP as reasons for his departure. He formally resigned from the NNPP on Friday before joining the APC on Monday.

The defection has not only strained his relationship with Kwankwaso but also led to the resignation of several cabinet members loyal to the former governor. Kwankwaso, who played a pivotal role in building NNPP’s political presence in Kano, is said to feel deeply betrayed.

According to Ladipo Johnson, NNPP’s spokesperson, the betrayal extends beyond Kwankwaso himself to the people of Kano, who endured years of poor governance under APC and rallied behind NNPP to secure Yusuf’s victory.

Johnson emphasized that NNPP had no established political structure in Kano before the election, yet it triumphed through Kwankwaso’s influence and the people’s determination. He argued that Yusuf’s defection without consulting voters amounted to a breach of public trust, effectively handing power back to those previously rejected by the electorate.

Ibrahim Karaye, NNPP’s public relations officer, echoed the sentiment, describing the party as devastated but resilient. He dismissed Yusuf’s justification of internal disputes, insisting that NNPP remains strong and “the party to beat in Kano.”

The defection has left Kano’s political atmosphere tense, with accusations of betrayal dominating public discourse.

For Kwankwaso and his supporters, Yusuf’s move represents not just a personal affront but a reversal of the collective struggle that brought NNPP to prominence in the state.