Kano Governor Meets Tinubu In France Following Meeting With Kwankwaso

Kano Governor Meets Tinubu In France Following Late Night Meeting With Kwankwaso
Kwankwaso publicly rejected the move and criticised the ruling party.
Grassroots loyalty to Kwankwaso is complicating political realignment in Kano.

The Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has reportedly held a late night, closed door meeting with his political mentor and leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, amid ongoing efforts to defect to the All Progressives Congress.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that according to Daily Nigerian, the meeting took place late Tuesday night at Kwankwaso’s residence on Miller Road in Kano. Sources said Yusuf arrived around midnight in a private vehicle, accompanied by a political intermediary identified as Sarkin Gobir, and remained inside the residence for more than one hour.

Multiple sources disclosed that the visit was aimed at making a final attempt to persuade Kwankwaso to join him in the APC, allegedly following encouragement from President Bola Tinubu. However, indications from the meeting suggest that the move failed, as Kwankwaso reportedly stood firm in his decision.

A day after the meeting, Kwankwaso appeared to publicly reject the overtures while addressing supporters at his residence.

“First, we know that betrayal is not good. Everybody knows how that party is losing the sympathy of the people, especially with regards to insecurity and the economy,” he said.

“People used to say in Nigeria that everyone has a price tag. If you are looking for who has no price tag, come to Rabiu Kwankwaso,” he added.

Sources said Yusuf’s planned defection has continued to face strong resistance at the grassroots, despite recent defections of NNPP lawmakers at both state and federal levels, as well as some local government chairmen.

Insiders said most NNPP supporters in Kano have remained loyal to Kwankwaso, a development that has raised concern among APC leaders.

“APC leaders are keenly observing what is happening in Kano. The Kwankwasiyya supporters have made it clear they are with Kwankwaso,” a source said.

“If Abba joins APC, Kwankwaso’s candidate may benefit from sympathy votes,” the source added.

Following the meeting, Yusuf reportedly travelled to France on Friday to meet President Tinubu, where he is expected to brief him on the outcome of the talks and outline his next political steps.

Meanwhile, top APC figures in Kano, including former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, and state party chairman Abdullahi Abbas, have returned to Nigeria ahead of expected political realignments.