The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has maintained confidence that it will withstand internal turmoil in its stronghold of Kano State, even as speculation intensifies that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf may defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The party’s national spokesperson made the assurance in a comprehensive interview amid growing factional tensions and strategic restructuring within the party.
The assurance came from Ladipo Johnson, National Publicity Secretary of the NNPP, who spoke on Saturday about the party’s latest moves following weeks of political frictions between Governor Yusuf and the party’s leadership, particularly the NNPP National Leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The NNPP recently took the dramatic step of dissolving all its organisational structures within Kano State, spanning from the state executive to local government and ward leadership, a move the party says is aimed at restoring order and conformity to its constitution. According to Johnson, this action was precipitated by internal disputes that threatened to undermine the party’s operations.
“Indeed, we believe and know that we will survive no matter what happens. Unfortunately, we’ve had issues in Kano State,” Johnson said, acknowledging the depth of the crisis.
The crisis, he explained, began when certain party members acted to remove the state chairman in what the national leadership deemed an unconstitutional process. Johnson said the National Working Committee (NWC) intervened to ensure discipline and prevent a deeper fracturing of the party.
“Some members of the party attempted to suspend or remove the state chairman, and the National Working Committee stepped in because our constitution does not allow an officer at the state level to be removed from his ward. It was an illegality, and we stated that,” Johnson said.
He added that dissolving all organisational layers was considered the most effective way to “stabilise the situation,” and that caretaker committees were expected to be appointed soon to manage party affairs in Kano.
Speculation that Governor Yusuf might defect to the ruling APC has been a defining element of the party’s recent crisis, with reports intensifying over the past days. While the governor has neither confirmed nor openly denied the rumours, the NNPP’s leadership insists their internal restructuring is not intended to accelerate any political moves by him.
“I do not believe that anything that we did or could have done would accelerate the action of the governor,” Johnson said, dismissing claims that the organisational shake-up was linked to potential defections.
Likewise, he emphasised that no discussions about a mass exit from the party, including any by Kwankwaso himself, have occurred. Johnson referenced public comments by one of Governor Yusuf’s aides suggesting both the governor and the NNPP leader were moving to the APC, a claim the party leadership disputes.
“One of his most trusted aides, the Director-General of Protocol, came out to announce that the governor and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso were going to be moving to the APC, and Senator Kwankwaso made it clear that there had been no such discussions.”
Despite the party’s public defiance of defection rumours, Johnson conceded that divisions have emerged within the NNPP’s ranks. He described some members as ready to explore other political avenues, even as the majority favours sticking with the party through the ongoing political reconfiguration ahead of the 2027 general election cycle.
“It is unfortunate that some people, who may be led by the governor, feel that they have to move at the present time, whilst the majority of the party believe that this is not the time,” Johnson said, noting that advanced negotiations were already underway at the national level with various political blocs.
He also stressed that political realignments are common at this stage of the electoral cycle, with parties across Nigeria positioning themselves for primary elections and campaign season.
On the subject of the NNPP’s strategic direction and leadership role ahead of the 2027 elections, Johnson said no final decisions had been made. He indicated that consultations would continue and that future participation in elections, including potential presidential or vice-presidential aspirations, will depend on unfolding political dynamics.
“We’re not saying that our leader must contest the presidency, neither are we saying he shouldn’t. It depends on what is on ground,” he said, expressing confidence that upcoming meetings would help solidify the party’s footing and clarify its electoral strategy.
While the NNPP leadership seeks to present calm and unity, reports from other news outlets indicate that Governor Yusuf’s expected defection to the APC, originally anticipated in early January, has been postponed to January 12, 2026, as he consults with key political actors and stakeholders before making a final decision.
The situation in Kano underscores broader political recalibrations in Nigeria as parties manoeuvre ahead of the 2027 general elections, with defections, alliances and internal realignments reshaping the political landscape in many states.
