How APC blocked Governor Yusuf’s bid for guaranteed 2027 ticket as defection talks stall
Fresh details have emerged on the stalled plan by Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, to leave the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), following the ruling party’s refusal to meet key conditions attached to his proposed defection.
Sources familiar with the talks say the APC leadership, both at the national level and within Kano State, has rejected the governor’s request for a written assurance that he would automatically secure the party’s governorship ticket for the 2027 election.
The negotiations, which have continued quietly for weeks, go beyond a simple party switch. According to insiders, Governor Yusuf is demanding firm guarantees that include an automatic return ticket in 2027, the power to nominate a minister from Kano State, and the authority to reshuffle federal appointments linked to the state in favour of his loyalists.
APC leaders have, however, drawn a clear line. Party officials insist that no individual, regardless of position, can be exempted from internal democratic processes such as primaries. A senior APC figure in the North West said the party would not sacrifice its rules to accommodate any defector, stressing that all aspirants must compete on equal terms.
The source compared Yusuf’s situation with that of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, noting that bold political moves should not come with special conditions. According to him, the APC applies the same standard to governors, ministers and other political heavyweights.
The governor’s calculations are further complicated by strong contenders within the Kano APC. Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, is widely seen as a major force in the state party structure and is believed to have his own interest in the 2027 governorship race.
Amid rising political tension at home, Governor Yusuf held the first Kano State Executive Council meeting of 2026 in Abuja. Observers viewed the choice of venue as a move to reduce local pressure. However, his appearance at the meeting wearing the signature red cap associated with the Kwankwasiyya movement, alongside NNPP symbols, surprised many who expected a clear signal of defection.
While the meeting focused on governance issues, signs of internal strain were evident. The deputy governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, is said to be committed to remaining in the NNPP, a position that could trigger serious political consequences if Yusuf eventually leaves the party.
Attention has also shifted to the role of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Yusuf’s political mentor and leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement. Reports suggest Kwankwaso has advised against joining the APC and is now considering alternative political strategies to keep his movement relevant.
There are growing indications that Kwankwaso may align with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, are also believed to be weighing future plans ahead of 2027.
If such a realignment materialises, it could reshape political calculations in the North and beyond, especially as the Kwankwasiyya movement faces uncertainty over the possible exit of its only sitting governor.
For now, Governor Yusuf remains caught between competing interests, with no clear timeline for a final decision on his political future.
– Arewa Agenda
