Political uncertainty heightened in Kano State on Monday following reports of an impending defection by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, amid a growing disagreement with the leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Security presence was noticeably reinforced around the Kano Government House as indications emerged that the governor may be preparing to leave the NNPP for the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move said to be under active consultation with lawmakers and political stakeholders within the state.
Sources familiar with the development disclosed that the defection, initially expected to occur earlier, has been shifted to January 12 to allow for broader consultations, particularly with members of the Kano State House of Assembly.
Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State and political mentor to Yusuf, has publicly opposed the move. Speaking on Saturday, he accused the governor of planning to return political control of the state to former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, alleging that Kano had previously been “rescued” from his administration.
Ganduje and Kwankwaso were once political allies but became estranged following the transition of power in 2015.
In response, the governor’s media adviser, Alhajiji Nagoda, said Governor Yusuf continues to acknowledge Kwankwaso as his political leader, but described the proposed defection as a necessary step in the interest of governance and security.
Nagoda raised concerns over the state’s security architecture, noting that directives issued by the governor were allegedly being undermined by external influences. He also referenced the unresolved emirate disputes in the state, citing past incidents involving attacks on the convoy of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II as evidence of persistent instability.
According to the adviser, aligning with the ruling party at the federal level could help restore order and improve coordination between the state and federal security institutions.
The proposed defection has, however, generated mixed reactions within the APC. A party chieftain in Kano, AbdulMajid DanBilki Kwamanda, alleged that both Yusuf and Kwankwaso were jointly strategising the move, describing it as a calculated political arrangement rather than a rupture.
In a video circulating online, Kwamanda claimed the arrangement would allow Kwankwaso to retain political relevance in Kano irrespective of which party emerges victorious in future elections.
The developments have exposed divisions within the Kwankwasiyya political movement, with one faction viewing the defection as a betrayal of party ideology, while another considers it a pragmatic response to the evolving political landscape.
As consultations continue, analysts warn that the unfolding crisis could have significant implications for party loyalty, constitutional governance, and the balance of political power in Kano State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
