A major political crisis is unfolding in Kano State as the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) leadership publicly opposes a rumored plan by Governor Abba Yusuf to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The potential move has created a deep rift within the NNPP, pitting loyalists of the governor against those of his political mentor and the party’s national leader, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.
In a press briefing on Monday, the NNPP’s Kano State Chairman, Hashim Suleiman Dungurawa, confirmed the party is aware of the situation and made it clear that neither the state nor the national leadership, including Kwankwaso, approves of the defection.
Dungurawa said the party had tried to persuade the governor to remain, appealing to him “for the sake of Allah and the Prophet, not to leave this party” which voters had chosen over the APC.
The situation has become more complex with conflicting messages coming from different factions.
While the official party leadership is pleading for unity, some of Governor Yusuf’s own aides are openly advocating for the switch to the APC.
A video has gone viral showing the Governor’s Director of Protocol, Abdullahi Rogo, claiming that stakeholders have agreed that both Yusuf and Kwankwaso should join the APC.
However, the NNPP leadership has strongly denied that Kwankwaso supports any such move, describing the potential defection as a “betrayal” of the voters who elected the NNPP into power.
Acknowledging the internal friction, the governor’s Director General of Media, Sanusi Bature, confirmed there are “disagreements” but declined to comment directly on the defection rumors.
Sources suggest the governor believes joining the APC is the best way to secure his re-election in 2027, even if it means splitting from his long-time mentor.
