Following the filing, the court has summoned Governor Yusuf to appear on November 17 over the divorce proceedings.
The couple got married on July 29, 2006, and their union produced six children.
In her court documents, Zainab reportedly alleged that the marriage had been characterised by a persistent lack of mutual care, love, affection and emotional connection.
She further told the court that she had lost her love and affection for the governor and developed a deep-seated aversion to the marriage.
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The governor’s wife also expressed concerns that continuing in the marriage could make it difficult for her to observe the limits and obligations prescribed by Allah for a wife.
According to reports by Daily Nigerian, Zainab maintained that several attempts to reconcile the couple and restore harmony had failed, alleging that her husband’s heart had completely turned away from the marriage.
She subsequently indicated her willingness to refund the dowry paid by Yusuf during their wedding to facilitate the dissolution of the union.
Zainab is seeking separation through Khul’i, an Islamic divorce procedure that allows a woman to initiate the dissolution of her marriage, usually by offering compensation or returning her dowry.
The divorce petition comes against the backdrop of a bitter political disagreement between Governor Yusuf and his former political benefactor and father-in-law, Kwankwaso.
Yusuf became governor in 2023 under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), largely through the political influence and backing of Kwankwaso, founder of the Kwankwasiyya movement.
However, their once-strong political relationship reportedly collapsed following Yusuf’s defection from the NNPP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), triggering a major political crisis between the two camps.
The disagreement, which reportedly began about a year ago, is also believed to have heightened tensions within the governor’s family.
READ ALSO: “It Was Kwankwaso Nigerians Voted For, Not Yusuf” — NNPP Legal Adviser
On October 28, Zainab reportedly left the Kano Government House and travelled to her father’s residence on Miller Road, Kano, before boarding a flight to Abuja without her police orderly or other security escorts.
Reports indicated that her police orderly became suspicious of her sudden departure and alerted senior officials at the Government House, who subsequently informed the governor.
Airport security personnel were reportedly instructed to prevent her from boarding the flight. However, they eventually allowed her to proceed after concerns that stopping her could trigger a disturbance at the airport.
The report further alleged that security personnel assigned to her quarters at the Government House, as well as officers attached to Kwankwaso’s Miller Road residence, were arrested, questioned and later released by the Kano State Police Command.
Zainab’s elder sister and brother, Ado Kwankwaso, were also reportedly invited by the police over allegations that they assisted her in leaving Kano.
Sources further alleged that there had been pressure on the police to charge Ado with kidnapping.
The divorce proceedings now add another dimension to the already strained relationship between the Kano governor and his former political mentor, with the court expected to hear the matter on November 17.