Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, is planning to leave the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Sources told Arabella that the governor may move to APC with or without the approval of his political leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
- A Spotlight on the Quiet Rise of Female Decision-Makers in Boardrooms
- Wirtz scores first Liverpool goal as Anfield remembers Jota
The sources said Yusuf decided to leave NNPP after talking with many stakeholders. These include members of the Kano State House of Assembly, local government chairmen, and some federal lawmakers from the state.
In a video that went viral on Sunday, the governor’s Director of Protocol, Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, said that leaders and supporters in Rogo Local Government Area had agreed to follow Governor Yusuf to APC. He also said they believe both Yusuf and Kwankwaso should move to APC together.
Rogo explained that the decision was taken by party leaders, elders, women, and youth groups in the area. He said they believe joining APC will help the people and also support Kwankwaso’s future political plans.
He added that although they remain loyal to the Kwankwasiyya movement, they believe moving to APC is the best option for now. He also asked supporters to avoid insults and abusive politics.
In another video, the Director-General of Media and Publicity at the Kano Government House, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, also supported the decision of leaders in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area to follow the governor to APC.
Speaking at a meeting, the Dawakin Tofa LGA chairman, Anas Danmaliki, said the Kwankwasiyya movement has split into two groups. He said he and all his councillors would go wherever Governor Yusuf goes.
Sanusi Bature later said he fully agreed with Danmaliki’s position.
Sources said Governor Yusuf is expected to officially announce his move to APC in the first week of January.
Meanwhile, Senator Kwankwaso reportedly met with members of the Kano State House of Assembly and confirmed that the governor plans to leave NNPP. He told the lawmakers that anyone who wants to follow Yusuf is free to do so.
However, Kwankwaso said he was not satisfied with the reasons for leaving NNPP. He reminded them that the party won the 2023 election with the help of God, not political power.
He asked, “Will the God who gave us victory in 2023 not be there in 2027?”
A source said that when lawmakers later met with Governor Yusuf, he told them that his decision to join APC could not be changed.
Governor Yusuf is the only governor elected on the NNPP platform during the 2023 general elections.