Kwankwaso, Governor Yusuf part ways over APC defection plan as former governor stays away from birthday celebration

Tension has deepened between Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, and the leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

The disagreement is linked to Governor Yusuf’s reported plan to dump the NNPP for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The move has widened cracks within the party and shaken its structure in Kano State.

Following reports of the planned defection, Kwankwaso began moves to test loyalty within the party.

He reportedly opened a register to identify political office holders who still align with his leadership and the Kwankwasiyya movement.

This action came at a symbolic time. While Governor Yusuf marked his 63rd birthday in Abuja with top government officials and party leaders, Kwankwaso stayed away.

Instead, he held meetings at his residence in Kano with NNPP stakeholders and core members of the Kwankwasiyya movement.

The parallel activities reflected the growing divide.

The crisis has since spilled into the National Assembly. Lawmakers elected on the NNPP platform from Kano are now split over the governor’s defection plan.

Governor Yusuf is said to enjoy the backing of the entire 40-member Kano State House of Assembly. He also reportedly has the support of all 44 local government chairmen in the state. This support strengthens his position ahead of a possible move to the APC.

However, the situation is different at the federal level.

Kano State has 21 members in the House of Representatives. Thirteen of them were elected under the NNPP. Not all of them are willing to follow the governor into the APC.

Umar Mukhtari Zakari, who represents Tarauni constituency, has openly opposed the defection. He has remained loyal to the NNPP and Kwankwaso.

On the other hand, several NNPP lawmakers have already crossed over to the APC. They include Aliyu Sani Madaki, Abdulmumin Jibrin, Yusuf Rabiu, and Sani Abdullahi. Kabiru Usman, who won a rerun election under the NNPP, has also joined the APC. Sagir Ibrahim Koki has made the same move.

The planned defection of Governor Yusuf was initially expected to take place earlier. The event was to be hosted by the APC leadership, with Vice President Kashim Shettima and party chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, expected to receive him.