Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, is set to officially defect from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) today (Monday), a member of the state executive council has confirmed.
A commissioner, who spoke to The Nation on Sunday, disclosed that all arrangements had been concluded for the governor’s defection, adding that the Kano chapter of the APC was already in high spirits ahead of the historic move.
“Yes, of course, the governor is joining APC tomorrow (Monday) with all his NNPP supporters,” the commissioner said.
It was gathered that the defection was initially scheduled for January 5 but was postponed to allow for wider consultations and to secure the buy-in of key stakeholders, particularly Kano National Assembly lawmakers.
Sources said Governor Yusuf had concluded extensive consultations with the electorate and political stakeholders across the state before taking the final decision to pitch his tent with the APC.
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In anticipation of the defection, Yusuf’s predecessor and immediate-past National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, returned to Nigeria from Dubai on Sunday to be part of the reception being planned for the governor.
Ganduje, alongside the Kano State APC Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, had earlier sent an official invitation to Governor Yusuf on behalf of the party’s power bloc in the state, assuring him of full cooperation and support within the APC.
Governor Yusuf, who was elected on the platform of the NNPP under the political structure of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, reportedly decided to join the ruling party to strengthen his capacity to deliver development projects and governance dividends to Kano residents.
However, the move has further widened the rift between Yusuf and his political benefactor, Kwankwaso. The NNPP factional leader has openly opposed the defection, insisting that Yusuf should resign as governor if he must leave the party.
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The disagreement has deepened divisions within the NNPP and the influential Kwankwasiyya Movement, with loyalists splitting into opposing camps over Yusuf’s political future.
According to sources, the governor is expected to defect alongside all local government council chairmen in the state, as well as all NNPP members of the Kano State House of Assembly.
Yusuf is also said to feel more secure politically within the APC due to the unresolved leadership crises and multiple court cases currently rocking the NNPP.
“That could jeopardise his mandate, among other reasons,” the source said.