Governor Yusuf’s defection deepens political fault lines, tests Kwankwasiyya’s grip on Kano

The reported defection of Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), after weeks of speculations, has sparked intense controversy and political bickering within the state, further deepening existing fault lines in Kano’s political landscape.

Although the Kano State governor is yet to make a formal public declaration, a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sunusi Tofa, said Yusuf had formally communicated his decision in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Diso-Chiranchi Ward of the NNPP in Gwale Local Government Area.

In the letter dated January 23, 2026, Yusuf cited unresolved leadership disputes and ongoing legal battles within the party as reasons for his resignation.

The defection came on the heels of his meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa a few days ago.

Read also: Kano politics shifts as Governor Abba Yusuf quits NNPP over lingering party crises

Within Kano State, however, the development has triggered political bickering and set off reactions across party lines, with allies and opponents trading accusations, denials and strategic claims over the implications of such a move.

Supporters of the APC have welcomed the development, describing it as a “return home” and a strategic boost ahead of the 2027 general election.

Party leaders in the state argue that Governor Yusuf’s alignment with the ruling party would strengthen Kano’s access to federal support and accelerate development projects stalled by partisan rivalry between the state and the centre.

“The defection is about the interest of Kano. It is about governance, not sentiment,” an APC chieftain in the state said, noting that Kano cannot afford to remain in opposition while critical national decisions are being taken.

However, the development has unsettled the NNPP, particularly loyalists of the party’s national leader and former Kano governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

The Kwankwasiyya political movement, which played a central role in Yusuf’s emergence as governor in 2023, views the defection as a betrayal of trust and ideology.

While there have been comments in recent weeks suggesting that Yusuf’s defection could signal the end of Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya movement’s influence in Kano politics, Ladipo Johnson, a close ally of Kwankwaso and National Publicity Secretary of the NNPP, disagreed.

In an interview with BusinessDay, Johnson said the movement had found itself in similar situations in the past and always bounced back stronger.

“I do not believe that Kwankwaso’s power of influence in Kano will wane because the governor has defected. I believe that a lot of the people in Kano have probably looked at the scenario and are more endeared to Senator Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya leadership style.

“As you well know, this is the second time it is happening,” he said.

Read also: Kano governor Abba Yusuf meets Tinubu amid stalled APC defection

Speaking further, Johnson added: “It happened when Governor Ganduje turned his back on the Kwankwasiyya movement.

“We came back stronger in 2019, although for some reason or the other the courts refused. But in 2023, we won again — not with anyone in position, but from scratch, as it were.

“We did not have a councillor, local government chairman, House of Assembly member, House of Representatives member or senator, yet we won through the mass action of the people of Kano.”

Meanwhile, taken aback by Governor Yusuf’s defection to the ruling party, the national leader of the NNPP, Kwankwaso, has urged his supporters to begin preparations for the 2027 general election, saying they would respond to the governor at the polls.

NNPP officials insist that the party’s mandate in Kano belongs to the people and the Kwankwasiyya structure, not to any individual office holder.

Many party leaders have also warned that the defection could trigger legal and political consequences, including possible challenges to the governor’s mandate.

“The strength of Kwankwasiyya is not tied to one person in office,” a senior NNPP official said. The movement has survived defections before and will remain a force in Kano politics.”

Johnson further argued that the mass action of the people had already begun to manifest, as more residents were reportedly turning up daily to consult with Kwankwaso and join the movement.

On the streets of Kano, the defection has divided opinion among residents over whether the governor’s move would weaken or strengthen governance in the state. While some argue that joining the APC could ease political tensions with the federal government, others believe it would undermine the reformist image that brought Yusuf to power.

Political analysts say the unfolding drama reflects a broader struggle for control of Kano, one of Nigeria’s most politically influential states.

Kunle Okunade, a political analyst, said the Kano governor may be fighting for his political survival beyond 2027, stressing that mounting pressure to join the APC could be linked to fears of electoral manipulation.

“Governor Yusuf is fighting for his survival and may be thinking that federal might could be used to rig the 2027 election, given the momentum the APC is gaining in Kano,” Okunade said.

“It happened in 2019, when he won but was rigged out in the run-off. That is why he insisted he must be assured of the ticket before joining.”

Other analysts argue that while the APC may gain short-term advantage from the governor’s defection, it does not automatically translate into the collapse of the Kwankwasiyya movement, which retains a deep grassroots presence.

“Kano politics is not just about party labels; it is about structures, loyalty and long-standing political identities,” a political sociologist at Bayero University, Kano who did not want his name in print, said.

“Any assumption that one defection will dismantle Kwankwasiyya may be an overreach.”

Why Kano matters to all parties

Kano State in the North Western geopolitical zone of the country has 44 local government areas, with estimated population of 16,253,549 (Sixteen million, two hundred and fifty-three thousand, five hundred and forty-nine) people.

Its huge number of LGAs dwarfs some states such as Bayelsa (eight), Gombe (11), Ebonyi (13), Nasarawa (13), Niger (15), Abia (17) and others.

During elections, attention is always being paid to the numbers that come from Kano as they determine where the pendulum of victory will swing to.

In the 2023 presidential election, results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano showed that the APC got 513, 846 (31.50 percent); Labour Party 30,089 (1.84 percent); NNPP 953,179 (58.42 percent); People’s Democratic Party 118.44 (7.26 percent), and others 15,900 (0.97percent).

With years of experience in Nigerian journalism, Iniobong Iwok has built a reputation for deep political insight, compelling storytelling, and consistent, fact-driven reporting.

Over the years, he has gained extensive experience reporting and writing incisive political analysis. Iniobong has interviewed key political figures across Nigeria and covered major national events, including the 2019 and 2023 general elections.

A versatile journalist, he also has strong experience in education reporting and sector analysis. His work reflects a deep commitment to good governance and public accountability.

Iniobong holds a B.Sc. in Sociology from the University of Ilorin and an M.Sc. in Sociology (Development Specialisation) from Lagos State University.

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