Shekarau faults Kwankwaso over Yusuf’s defection

Former Kano State Governor Malam Ibrahim Shekarau has faulted Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso over his criticism of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf amid speculation about the governor’s possible defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), insisting that political realignments are personal decisions shaped by circumstances, consultations and precedent.

Shekarau, who spoke in an interview with the online platform DCL Hausa, rejected suggestions by Kwankwaso, the NNPP’s national leader, that Yusuf should relinquish his mandate if he defects from the party. He argued that such a demand was inconsistent with Nigeria’s political history and contradicted Kwankwaso’s own past actions.

“I listened to some of my brother Kwankwaso’s remarks. To me, he has either forgotten what happened in the past or he thinks people have forgotten,” Shekarau said.

He recalled that Kwankwaso defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) while serving as governor of Kano State, without vacating his seat.

“When he was in the PDP, he left with the governorship seat to the APC. Why didn’t he drop it for the PDP? The way he took the PDP seat to APC is likely the same way Abba will take the NNPP seat to APC,” he said.

According to Shekarau, if such conduct is now being described as offensive or a betrayal, then the precedent was set long ago by Kwankwaso himself. He maintained that political choices should be judged within context rather than through selective moral standards.

The former governor also shed light on the internal disagreements that followed his and Kwankwaso’s defection to the NNPP in the build up to the 2023 elections, revealing that disputes over power-sharing arrangements played a key role in his eventual exit from the party.

He said that after he and Kwankwaso defected from the APC to the NNPP, a series of meetings were held in Abuja and Kano to agree on the sharing of elective positions and appointments among stakeholders. According to him, a committee was constituted to work out the arrangement, with Abba Kabir Yusuf appointed chairman, given that he was to clinch the governorship ticket.

“Abba spent about three months without submitting the assignment. Suddenly, a list emerged and there was no single person from our side except me,” Shekarau said.

He disclosed that Kwankwaso queried the development in his presence, but the matter was never resolved. This, he said, prompted him and his supporters to set up a 30-member committee, which eventually recommended their withdrawal from the NNPP.

“I rejected the arrangement because I could not accept a senatorial ticket alone while my people got nothing,” he added.

Shekarau stressed that defection or political realignment should not automatically be framed as betrayal, particularly when leaders consult their supporters and act in what they believe to be their collective interest.

“In life, one chooses for himself. If you have tangible reasons and the people you are with are okay with it, that is all,” he said.

He argued that Governor Yusuf should be allowed to make his decision without being demonised, noting that Kwankwaso himself had moved across parties several times; from PDP to APC, back to PDP and later to the NNPP.

“If Abba has his own reasons and those around him agree, I don’t see any betrayal here,” Shekarau said.

Meanwhile, former Kano State Governor and ex-National Chairman of the APC, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has welcomed Governor Yusuf to the APC, describing his reported decision to align with the ruling party as an act of courage, foresight and responsibility.

In a statement issued to mark Yusuf’s 63rd birthday, Ganduje said the occasion offered an opportunity for reflection and renewed commitment to the development and wellbeing of the people of Kano State.

Ganduje said Yusuf’s decision to join the APC at this stage of his life reflected political maturity and vision, adding that his entry into the party would strengthen its people-centred agenda in Kano.

“By aligning with the APC, Governor Yusuf would help position Kano State more closely with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said, expressing optimism that the governor’s experience would translate into tangible benefits for the state.

He wished Yusuf good health, wisdom and renewed strength, expressing confidence that the years ahead would bring greater accomplishments and lasting contributions to Kano State and Nigeria.

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