Kwankwaso to Gov Yusuf: Drop gov’ship for us and go

The leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has urged the state Governor and his protégé, Abba Kabiru Yusuf to relinquish governorship if he wants to leave the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

Kwankwaso spoke while addressing supporters and stakeholders in Kano, amid growing speculations and realignments within the state’s political space, particularly over calls for the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP)-led government to align with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a strongly worded remark, the former governor questioned the push for Kano’s governor to defect, saying such a move would amount to stripping the movement of its only executive hold.

“If you have 30 governors, why must you take Kano State governor? Is he yours? He is the only one left for us in the Government House,” he said.

“Those instigating him to go should tell him to drop the governorship for us and go, since the governorship is not meant for only one person,” Kwankwaso added.

He also described the ongoing political tensions in the state as a “nightmare”, calling on those fuelling the crisis to reconsider their actions in the interest of the people.

“Thank you for coming at this difficult time. What is happening is surprising, just like a nightmare. Some unfortunate things are happening in Kano that some people don’t even believe,” Kwankwaso said.

“For me, I wish I was asleep and when I wake up I will see that what is happening is not true,” he added.

The former governor said he had been making efforts behind the scenes to reach out to relevant individuals in a bid to halt what he described as a dangerous political trajectory that would not benefit the state.

“Since these things started, I have tried my best. Anybody I needed to talk to, I have done that, trying to convince them that the track they are on will not benefit anybody in Kano,” he said.

Kwankwaso noted that the NNPP-led government still had time to deliver dividends of democracy, stressing that unity among political actors was crucial.

“At least this government has one year ahead, and if we join heads together, people will benefit. What people are surprised about is, what is really the problem? What happened? I myself am still aloof of what is happening,” he said.

He criticised those calling for a defection to what he referred to as “Gandujiyya,” a term used to describe the political structure associated with former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

“People who don’t understand and think where we are is not okay for us are saying we should leave this place and become members of ‘Gandujiyya’,” he said.

Kwankwaso described the unfolding situation as a clear political divide in the state.

“The line has drawn itself in Kano State. It is a war between light and darkness, and the people of Kano have since understood that,” he said.

He lamented the emotional and physical toll the crisis had taken on party supporters, saying many loyalists were in pain.

“Only God knows the number of people in pain in Kano State. Many came here crying. Many people are in a serious dilemma. Some have developed high blood pressure, some are in the hospital, and they are lovers of this party who voted for this government,” he said.

Despite the hardship, Kwankwaso said the patience shown by supporters reflected the core values of the Kwankwasiyya movement.

“God has helped us because the majority have patience, and that is Kwankwasiyya. Many may not have benefitted, but when they see the governor, they still wish him well because they don’t want people to laugh at us,” he said.

Kwankwaso also condemned internal conflicts and social media attacks, warning that such actions amounted to self-destruction.

“I advised that it is not local governments or chairmen in Kano that should be organising people on social media calling me. This is complete madness and shows that some people are doing things capable of stabbing themselves in the stomach,” he said.

He revealed that the APC-led Federal Government had reached out to him and other leaders, recalling sacrifices made in the course of their political struggle.

“The Federal Government and the APC at the national level have reached out to us. There is nothing I have not seen. In my presence, many were killed in this journey,” he said.

According to him, the current moment called for reflection rather than internal battles.

“This is not the time to fight among ourselves. It is time to see how we can move forward. Some people are just looking for reasons to leave,” he added.

Kwankwaso dismissed claims that the NNPP was weak in Kano, insisting the party remained dominant in the state.

“One will say our party is small. In Kano, which party is bigger than NNPP?” he asked.

He said the movement was open to alliances with like-minded groups but would not surrender its core principles.

“What we are hoping for is to meet with people who share similar ideology—those who will agree that I become number one or number two on the train,” he said.

Kwankwaso argued that the crisis had, paradoxically, strengthened the Kwankwasiyya movement.

“What happened now has even solidified this movement more because the majority of Kano people value dignity, integrity and do not support injustice,” he said.

He warned the APC leadership against underestimating Kano State, noting that despite controlling the majority of states, pressure was still being mounted on the NNPP-led government.

“Among the 36 states, almost 30 are under APC, yet they are still pressurising that everyone must go back to them,” he said.

“If you go back to Abuja and see them, tell them they are playing with Kano. They are underestimating us and they should be very careful. Kano should be treated with caution,” Kwankwaso warned.

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