Closed-door talks suggest ongoing move by Governor Abba Yusuf to switch to APC

Political watchers in Kano State are weighing fresh signals suggesting possible realignment in the politics of the state, following a late-night meeting between Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and two leading figures of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The closed-door engagement, which is said to have taken place at the Government House in Kano, involved Kabiru Alhassan Rurum and Baffa Babba Dan’agundi, director general, National Productivity Centre, held in the early hours of Monday.

Information gathered by BusinessDay shows that the meeting lasted about an hour and centred on emerging political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The discussion has reignited long-running speculation that Governor Yusuf may be preparing to defect from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the APC. Although neither party has officially confirmed the talks, insiders say the timing and composition of the meeting have added weight to the defection rumours.

It was gathered that Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, who represents Kano South Senatorial District, was expected to attend the meeting, but was absent due to his recent trip to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia,  for the lesser Hajj.

Rurum, currently representing Rano, Kibiya and Bunkure Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, is widely regarded as one of the most influential politicians in Kano South. His political clout and grassroots appeal were instrumental in reshaping voting trends in parts of the zone and boosting the NNPP’s fortunes in areas previously considered hostile to the party.

Before now, Ruruw, was the speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, a position he held twice within the same legislative period after being removed and later reinstated—an episode often cited as evidence of his deep understanding of legislative politics. Despite leaving the APC during the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, he maintained relevance and later secured his current seat on the NNPP platform with a decisive victory.

Dan’agundi is also a seasoned political organiser. A former lawmaker in the Kano State House of Assembly, he previously served as Chief Whip and Majority Leader and is known for his strong mobilisation network, particularly in Kano Central Senatorial District.

Danagundi’s influence came to national attention with the organisation of the One Million Man March in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, described by observers as one of the largest political rallies in the state.

As consultations and realignments continue behind the scenes, analysts say any decision by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to join the APC would have far-reaching implications, potentially reshaping the political balance in Kano State ahead of the 2027 elections.

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