- Kano Governor Abba Yusuf Set To Dump NNPP For APC
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Majority of NNPP lawmakers in Kano back the move.
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Kwankwaso admits defection likely, questions its rationale.
Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, is set to defect from the New Nigeria Peoples Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress in the first week of January 2026, barring any last minute change.
Sources told Daily Nigerian that the move would bring to an end nearly four decades of political association between Yusuf and his long time political benefactor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Yusuf is currently the only governor elected on the platform of the NNPP, and his defection is expected to leave the party without control of any state in Nigeria.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that insiders said the governor has concluded plans to participate fully in the APC congresses scheduled for February 2026, a strategy aimed at taking firm control of the party’s structure in Kano State.
To strengthen his political base, Yusuf is said to be quietly mobilising support from members of the National Assembly, the Kano State House of Assembly and local government chairmen.
“The only member of the House of Representatives I am certain will remain with Kwankwaso is his son in law, the member representing Tarauni Federal Constituency,” a source said.
“Those representing Nassarawa, Ungogo and Kumbotso are on the fence and weighing their options.”
It was gathered that at least 25 of the 27 NNPP lawmakers in the Kano State House of Assembly, including the Speaker, Yusuf Falgore, have endorsed the governor’s planned defection. Two of the lawmakers are deceased.
Sources added that although some local government chairmen are still loyal to Kwankwaso, most are expected to follow the governor.
“Many of them are still loyal to Kwankwaso at the moment, but almost all of them will eventually join the governor,” one source said.
As the defection plan gathered pace, Kwankwaso reportedly summoned NNPP lawmakers to a meeting at his Miller Road residence on Friday.
During the meeting, Kwankwaso allegedly told the lawmakers that it was clear the governor was heading to the APC and that anyone who wished to follow him should do so freely.
“Will the God that gave us power in 2023 not be around in 2027?” he was quoted as asking.
Sources said the lawmakers later agreed to seek dialogue with Yusuf, but when they attempted to see him, the governor reportedly told them his decision to join the APC was irreversible.
The political realignment is also expected to affect the deputy governor, Aminu Abdulsalam, whose impeachment is said to be imminent.
Insiders claimed Yusuf is proposing the APC’s 2023 deputy governorship candidate, Murtala Sule Garo, as Abdulsalam’s replacement, while Nasiru Gawuna is being positioned for the Kano Central senatorial ticket in 2027.
