Defection Crisis Deepens as Kwankwaso Opens Loyalty Register in Kano Against Yusuf

Abba Kabir Yusuf, the governor of Kano State, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), are at odds over the governor’s plans to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Kwankwaso reportedly established a loyalty registry for political office holders to determine their devotion to his leadership in response to rumors that Yusuf was about to leave the NNPP for the APC.

Top government officials and party leaders attended the governor’s 63rd birthday celebration in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, at the time of Kwankwaso’s move.

Yusuf celebrated the event in the Federal Capital Territory, but Kwankwaso avoided it and instead had what sources called “engagement meetings” with NNPP stakeholders at his Kano home, especially Kwankwasiyya Movement supporters.

The Nation was informed by sources that the two leaders’ actions and reactions had polarized the NNPP and split its members in the National Assembly.

According to reports, the governor has the support of all 44 local government chairmen in the state as well as the 40-member Kano State House of Assembly, which is presided over by Speaker Jibril Isma’il Falgore.

On the potential defection, NNPP federal MPs from Kano have not yet united.

Thirteen of Kano’s twenty-one members of the House of Representatives were chosen via the NNPP platform.

Umar Mukhtari Zakari (Tarauni), one of the NNPP representatives, has openly opposed the planned defection.

However, Yusuf Rabiu (Sumaila/Takai), Sani Abdullahi (Karaye/Rogo), Abdulmumin Jibrin (Bebeji/Kiru), and Aliyu Sani Madaki (Dala) have already joined the APC.

Additionally, Sagir Ibrahim Koki (Kano Municipal) and Kabiru Usman (who won a rerun in Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya under the NNPP) have defected to the ruling party.

The APC national leadership delayed the official defection until January 12, even though it was originally planned for Monday.

Yusuf was supposed to be welcomed into the party by Vice-President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda.

According to party insiders, the event was rescheduled to allow for additional discussions with Kano National Assembly members and other important stakeholders who have not yet given their complete support.

According to a close associate of the governor, Yusuf has not yet obtained an APC membership card or legally registered at his ward.

According to reports, the defection is a component of a larger political realignment intended to bolster Yusuf’s candidacy for the governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 elections and position him for a leadership position within the Kano APC.

There are rumors that Kwankwaso, who has rejected the proposal, is thinking of switching to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in protest.

The Kwankwaso-led Kwankwasiyya organization would be severely damaged by Yusuf’s departure, according to sources, since the former governor had previously promised that no one would betray the organization and escape punishment.

Hashimu Dungurawa, a Kwankwaso loyalist, was also removed from his position as the NNPP’s state chairman as a result of their disagreement.

Alhaji Abdullahi Zubairu Abiya was then named acting state chairman by Yusuf.

Dungurawa’s ban was maintained by a Kano State High Court, which also prohibited him from posing as chairman while the lawsuit was being decided.

The NNPP national secretariat, however, rejected the modification, calling it a nullity, and proceeded to permanently disband the party’s ward, local government, and state executives.

Yusuf’s defection is being viewed by the APC as a significant political advantage that could deprive the NNPP of its lone governorship seat and reduce its national significance.

Leaders of the party think the action will strengthen the APC’s hold on Kano and improve its prospects for the general election in 2027.

The Kano APC power group, which is headed by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has publicly stated that they are willing to collaborate with Yusuf.

Ganduje and Abdullahi Abbas, the state’s APC chairman, have encouraged the governor to feel free to join the ruling party.

However, internal conflict is predicted to be sparked by Yusuf’s impending entrance in the APC, especially over the 2027 governorship ticket.

Barau Jibrin’s own ambition for the ticket may be weakened by the event, according to political observers, and it may also change alliances, talks, and voter alignments in Kano.

While Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila (Kano South) switched to the APC last year and is no longer associated with the Kwankwasiyya leader, Senator Rufai Sani Hanga (Kano Central) is still in the NNPP with Kwankwaso, despite Barau’s apparent indifference.