President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday held a closed-door meeting with the Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, further fuelling speculations over the governor’s possible defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The meeting took place in the President’s office, where Governor Yusuf arrived at about 4:10 p.m., dressed in a white Agbada and a red cap. Details of the discussions were not officially disclosed as of the time of filing this report.
For weeks, political circles have been awash with rumours that the Kano governor, elected on the platform of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), may be considering a move to the APC. The speculations have gained momentum amid reports of high-level negotiations involving key stakeholders at the national level.
However, sources familiar with the talks say the alleged defection process has hit a snag, with disagreements reportedly centred on whether Governor Yusuf would be granted an automatic ticket to contest the 2027 governorship election under the APC.
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The planned defection has also triggered visible cracks within the NNPP in Kano, leading to growing tension between supporters of Governor Yusuf and loyalists of his political godfather and former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Observers believe the meeting between President Tinubu and the Kano governor may not be unconnected with ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly as the APC intensifies efforts to consolidate its influence in strategic northern states.
Neither the Presidency nor the Kano State Government has issued an official statement on the outcome of the meeting, leaving the political space rife with speculation over the next move of Gov. Yusuf