By Caleb Jacob
There are strong indications that governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano may soon defect to the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the state.
Grassroots Parrot gathered that the move followed a perceived rift brewing up between the governor and his political godfather, Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Some loyalists of the governor have been accusing Kwankwaso of muzzling the government of his godson and in-law, as most members of his cabinet are loyal to Kwankwaso, at the detriment of good governance.
According to the APC, the situation became obvious this weekend after the controversial Saturday’s local government elections, where candidates of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) won all chairmanship and councillorship positions.
Spokesperson for the APC in Kano, Ahmed Haruwa, confirmed the plot to lure Yusuf to their party when he featured on Wazobia FM’s weekly program ‘We Tori Domot’ on Monday.
READ ALSO: Kano Govt Imposes Movement Restrictions Ahead Of LG Elections
Haruwa alleged that the governor’s absence at the inauguration of the newly elected chairmen and councillors on Sunday proved the internal rift between the duo.
He noted that the main opposition party in the state was buying time to receive the governor in their camp as they were moving towards the next political dispensation.
“We are looking for a way to push, and I’m sure the Federal Government and the party here in the state will try our best to mobilize to bring him back to his destination. If he is ready to come and join us, we are ready for it.” Haruwa said.
To further substantiate this allegation, Abdullahi Tanker Galadanchi, the Senior Special Adviser (SSA) to Gov. Yusuf on Radio, agreed that there might be a replication of the Rivers political crisis in Kano.
Galadanchi was also featured on Wazobia FM’s live program.
“With the way Abba is operating now as a governor, and with the way Kwankwaso has tooth and interest in the government, there might be a clash of interest,” remarked Galadanchi.
He added, “The government is not moving because so many of the activities of the governor are being executed by those paying allegiance to Kwankwaso.”
READ ALSO: Kano Government Withdraws Accreditation of Journalists In Government House
According to Galadanchi, “The governor is being muzzled by Kwankwaso, but gradually he is changing because we talk to him. We are not saying Abba should fight his master, but let him understand the reality between loyalty and governance.”
While stressing their resolve to stand their ground, he hinted, “We are just beginning. We wanted to reform Abba as a governor and make Kwankwaso believe that this is a government he made himself, and therefore he should allow Abba to run his government successfully.”
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress has petitioned the Minister of Finance to suspend all grants to be awarded to the local government in Kano, a move that may cripple governance at the grassroots level.
The main opposition in the state has also vowed to charge the state government with contempt at the Supreme Court for its failure to abide by the Federal High Court’s judgment prohibiting the conduct of the LG elections.
READ ALSO: Kano LG Elections: Gov Yusuf Satisfied With Process, APC Declares Exercise Illegal
Describing the election as unlawful and mere selection, the spokesperson for the APC in Kano, Ahmed Haruwa, maintained that the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) members comprise card-carrying party members.
“People that you call KansiEC are people from different parties. There is one person from Kura local government—he was a former commissioner under APC—and he was with Mallam Shekarau by that very time.
“Most of them are from the group of Kwankwasiyya.” He disclosed.
Galadanchi also concurred with the APC’s position, tagging the election as credible but unfair due to non participation of some political parties.