Former Kano State governor and leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has condemned the defection of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a “betrayal” with serious political consequences.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa obtained by The News Chronicle on Wednesday, Kwankwaso said Yusuf’s decision came as a shock to him and his supporters, warning that the governor would come to regret it.
“We never expected this kind of betrayal from Governor Abba. He will regret his decision,” Kwankwaso said.
Kwankwaso, who was instrumental in Yusuf’s emergence as governor in the 2023 elections, insisted that Yusuf’s defection would not weaken the political structure that brought him to power.
He dismissed claims that the governor was frustrated or prevented from governing under the NNPP, vowing to strongly challenge such narratives.
“The moment Ganduje raises his hand, he has already lost the election. Let him first say we didn’t allow him to govern, we will give him an answer,” he added.
Kwankwaso also warned political rivals against attempting to capitalise on Yusuf’s defection, stressing that the NNPP’s grassroots strength in Kano State remains intact.
Meanwhile, Governor Yusuf was formally received into the APC on Monday at the Coronation Hall of the Kano Government House.
The high-profile event was attended by senior party figures, including former APC National Chairman and ex-Kano governor, Abdullahi Ganduje; Deputy President of the Senate and Senator representing Kano South, Barau Jibrin; Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Ata; and other top APC stakeholders in the state.
Yusuf’s return to the ruling party follows his resignation from the NNPP amid escalating internal crises. His defection comes after a wave of political realignments in Kano, including the defection of 21 members of the Kano State House of Assembly from the NNPP to the APC.
Reports also indicate that alongside Yusuf, eight members of the House of Representatives, 21 state lawmakers, and 44 local government chairmen across Kano State resigned from the NNPP.
In a resignation letter dated January 25, 2026, and addressed to the chairman of the NNPP in Diso-Chiranchi Ward, Gwale Local Government Area, Yusuf expressed gratitude to the party for the opportunity and support given to him since 2022.
The developments have intensified political tension in Kano State, raising fresh debates over loyalty, party supremacy, and the future of the NNPP as alignments ahead of future elections continue to shift.
