Uncertainty continues to trail the planned defection of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), following repeated delays and intense political consultations. The move, initially expected in early January 2026 and later shifted to January 12, has yet to materialise amid resistance from key stakeholders and warnings from his political mentor, NNPP leader Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Sources familiar with the talks say the delay is largely due to Governor Yusuf’s insistence on securing an automatic APC governorship ticket for the 2027 election. According to insiders, APC leaders have been unable to immediately accede to the demand, opting to await President Bola Tinubu’s input. The governor is said to be wary of entering the APC without firm guarantees, particularly given the influence of rival political figures within the party and the likelihood of losing Kwankwaso’s backing.
The situation has been compounded by a deepening crisis within the NNPP, triggered by a leadership tussle and a disputed change of the party’s logo. The internal rift has split loyalties within the Kano government, with some lawmakers and local government chairmen aligned with Governor Yusuf, while the deputy governor and several cabinet members remain loyal to Kwankwaso.
Amid the uncertainty, former NNPP Kano chairman Hashimu Dungurawa has urged Yusuf to abandon the defection plan, warning that his re-election prospects are stronger within the NNPP. Meanwhile, pressure from the Kwankwassiyya Movement has intensified, with reports that Kwankwaso loyalists in the state government may resign if the governor formally joins the APC.
