Political crisis looms in Kano as governor YUSUF, KWANKWASO differ on defection

Tuesday, January 6, 2026 - Kano State witnessed rising political tension on Monday as security presence was increased around the Government House amid disagreements between the leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf over planned defections.

There have been strong indications that Yusuf, a protégé of Kwankwaso, is preparing to defect from NNPP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Reports said the move, earlier expected imminently, had been shifted to January 12 to allow the governor hold wider consultations, especially with lawmakers in the state assembly.

Kwankwaso, speaking on Saturday, accused the governor of planning to “hand over Kano to former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje”, claiming the state had earlier been rescued from him.

Ganduje was once Kwankwaso’s ally, but the two fell out after power changed hands on May 29, 2015.

Reacting, the Kano State governor’s media adviser, Alhajiji Nagoda said  that Yusuf still holds Kwankwaso in high regard.

“We still respect and regard Kwankwaso as our political leader,” he said.

However, Nagoda added that the governor’s move to APC was now necessary, expressing hope that Kwankwaso would eventually support it.

“As the Chief Security Officer in Kano, it is unfortunate that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf would give security directives, and the police would say they are waiting for directives from someone outside Kano,” he said.

Nagoda also recalled the lingering emirate crisis in the state.

“There was a time when the convoy of Kano Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II was passing through Nassarawa Palace, where the 15th Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero, is housed, and some miscreants stoned the convoy,” he said.

According to him, such incidents should not happen, adding that joining APC could help restore stability and improve the well-being of Kano residents.

On Kwankwaso’s opposition to the move, Nagoda said, “We are praying that he softens and leads the way to the APC.”

Meanwhile, the proposed defection has divided opinion within APC itself.

A prominent APC figure in Kano, AbdulMajid DanBilki Kwamanda, accused both Yusuf and Kwankwaso of secretly planning the move together.

In a video doing rounds on social media, Kwamanda said, “Nothing but death will wedge in between Abba and Kwankwaso.”

He added, “Abba respects Kwankwaso to the core, and this is just a political game.”

According to him, “Kwankwaso is sending Abba to the APC to secure a second term, while his deputy, Comrade Aminu AbdulSalam, remains in the NNPP and will contest. So whoever wins Kano, it’s a win-win for Kwankwaso.”

Kwamanda also alleged that Ganduje was involved in the defection plan as part of a strategy to block Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin from contesting the 2027 elections.

The developments have split the Kwankwasiyya movement, with one faction accusing Governor Yusuf of betrayal, while another supports his planned move to APC.