Abba Yusuf Defends Switch To APC, Says Move Will Position Kano For Greater Development

Governor Abba Yusuf has said his defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was aimed at positioning Kano State closer to the centre of national power in order to drive faster development. He spoke on Monday at the 2026 Grand Rally held at Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano. His comments were conveyed in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sunusi Dawakin-Tofa. According to Yusuf, Kano cannot afford to remain politically isolated from the Federal Government, describing the state as too important to stay disconnected from national decision-making. “It is about placing Kano in a position where it can fully participate in national development and secure a better future for its citizens,” he said, noting that the move was guided by his duty to the people of the state. The governor added that Kano must actively align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that federal reforms need cooperation from states to achieve meaningful impact. “With the support of our great party and the cooperation of the Federal Government, Kano State is better positioned to move forward with confidence and stability,” he stated. Yusuf had formally resigned from the NNPP in January before joining the APC. In a letter dated January 25 and addressed to the chairman of the Diso-Chiranchi Ward in Gwale Local Government Area, he pointed to internal disagreements and ongoing court cases within the party as reasons for his departure. “I write with a deep sense of gratitude to formally notify the leadership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) of my decision to resign my membership of the party,” the letter read. He further explained that persistent leadership crises and legal battles had created deep divisions. “After careful reflection, I have come to the conclusion that my resignation is in the best interest of the people of Kano State,” he added. Following his exit, 21 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, including Speaker Ismail Falgore, also left the NNPP. Additionally, eight members of the House of Representatives and 44 local government chairmen in the state resigned from the party. At the rally, Yusuf thanked Vice President Kashim Shettima and governors from Jigawa, Sokoto, Kaduna, Katsina, Borno, Yobe and Plateau states for attending. He also acknowledged former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, Kano APC Chairman Abdullahi Abbas and members of the National and State Assemblies for their support. APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, urged party members to stand firmly behind the governor. “The turnout today demonstrates that Kano APC members are united, enthusiastic, and committed to advancing the party’s agenda and supporting President Tinubu’s vision,” he said. In separate remarks, Ganduje, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Abdullahi Abbas, ALGON Chairperson Sa’adatu Yushau Soja, Alasan Ado Doguwa and other lawmakers pledged their full backing. “We pledge 100 percent loyalty and cooperation to the governor and the APC in Kano,” they declared.

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Kwankwaso Blasts Abba Yusuf’s Defection, Declares January 23 As World Betrayal Day

The leadership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has strongly criticised Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf’s decision to quit the party, branding the move as a painful betrayal of the confidence reposed in him by party leaders and supporters. NNPP’s national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, while addressing loyalists at his Miller Road residence in Kano, announced that January 23 would now be recognised within the movement as “World Betrayal Day.” He explained that the idea originated from social media reactions to the governor’s resignation, many of which described the development as an act of betrayal. “None caught my attention more than one who posted, suggesting that we declare January 23 annually as World Betrayal Day. “Therefore, as the leader and grand patron of this movement, I hereby declare that I fully support the declaration.” Kwankwaso said the date would be observed with special programmes to serve as a constant reminder of what he described as a defining moment in the history of the movement. Governor Yusuf’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, had earlier confirmed the governor’s resignation from the NNPP in a statement issued on Friday. In its reaction, the NNPP, through a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Ladipo Johnson, said the party received the news with deep sadness and disappointment, rejecting Yusuf’s claim that his departure was caused by an irredeemable internal crisis. “We deeply regret that Governor Abba, a man entrusted by the people of Kano State on the strength of his decades of unwavering loyalty and dedicated service to the Kwankwasiyya Movement, has now chosen to betray that sacred trust. By this action, he risks returning the state to the very forces that have long opposed its progress and the aspirations of its people. “It is noteworthy that our party, the NNPP, had recently conducted congresses for its leadership from the ward to the national convention, held on December 20, 2025, at which the governor himself was present, and INEC had supervised. “The party had also participated and won in two supplementary elections for Bagwai/Shanono and Ghari/Tsanyawa constituency, respectively held in August 2025, about three months ago. The assertion he made of an irredeemable crisis in the party is therefore baseless and an afterthought.” The party also recalled a similar episode in Kano’s political history, noting that defections had previously been punished by the electorate. “Yet, the electorate delivered a resounding verdict: In the 1983 gubernatorial election, Rimi was humiliatingly defeated by Mallam Aliyu Sabo Bakin Zuwo of the PRP, finishing second. Even more telling, of the 120 state assembly members who joined Rimi’s defection, only one was re-elected, an outcome that should serve as a sobering lesson to any politician contemplating the path of disloyalty. “While this development is deeply disturbing and painful for all who have invested in the Kwankwasiyya vision, we urge the 1,019,602 people who cast their votes for his election, as well as the good people of Kano State and Nigeria, to remain calm, patient, and restrained. Let us not descend into acrimony or division. “History has consistently shown that those who trade loyalty for expediency, and honour for deceit, rarely escape the judgment of the people. The truth endures, and the loyalty of Kano’s masses to principled leadership will ultimately prevail.”

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BREAKING: Kano Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf Resigns From NNPP

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has officially resigned from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), citing persistent internal conflicts and leadership disputes within the party. The announcement was made on Friday by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa. Yusuf submitted a resignation letter to the Chairman of the NNPP in Diso-Chiranchi Ward, Gwale Local Government Area, effective January 25, 2026. In the letter, the governor expressed gratitude to the party for providing him a political platform and for the support of its leadership and members across Kano State since 2022. However, Yusuf said unresolved leadership disagreements and ongoing legal battles within the party made it increasingly difficult to maintain cohesion. “In recent times, the party has faced persistent internal challenges arising from leadership disagreements and ongoing legal processes, many of which are presently before the courts,” he noted. He added that the disputes have caused growing disenfranchisement among members, deep divisions within the party structure, and uncertainty at both the state and national levels. “After careful reflection, and without prejudice to the party’s ability to resolve its challenges, I have concluded that my resignation is in the best interest of the people of Kano State,” Yusuf said, emphasizing that his decision was made in good faith and without bitterness. He reaffirmed his commitment to peace, unity, and the continued development of Kano State despite leaving the NNPP.

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NNPP Tells Governor Abba Yusuf to Resign Membership Before Any Move to APC

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano State has told Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf that he is free to leave the party but must first submit a formal resignation before joining the All Progressives Congress (APC). The warning comes amid speculation that the governor may defect to the ruling party following his recent closed-door meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Yusuf, who was elected on the NNPP platform in 2023, has faced persistent political crises in the state since assuming office. Addressing journalists in Kano on Tuesday, NNPP State Chairman, Senator Elmasud Doguwa, said the party would not force the governor to remain if he no longer wished to continue under its platform. However, he stressed that party rules must be respected. Doguwa said Governor Yusuf remains a registered member of the NNPP and has not officially communicated any intention to resign. According to him, the governor must notify the legally recognised leadership of the party in writing before aligning with another political party. He warned that defecting without following due process could attract legal consequences, especially in view of existing court judgments and ongoing litigation concerning the party’s leadership. Doguwa also maintained that the current NNPP leadership in Kano is backed by court rulings and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to uphold and enforce those decisions. He concluded by reiterating that while political affiliation is a personal choice, it must be exercised in line with the law and the party’s constitution.

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Kwankwaso Insists On Presidential Or Vice Presidential Slot As Condition For 2027 Defection

Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has made it clear that any move away from his current political platform ahead of the 2027 general election will depend strictly on the position being offered to him. Speaking in Kano on Saturday while hosting supporters of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), the former Kano State governor confirmed that discussions are ongoing at the national level about aligning with an opposition coalition. However, he stressed that he is not interested in vague promises or minor appointments. “At the national level, talks are ongoing to join an opposition coalition. We told them that we agree to go with you, but what will you give me. Appointments? How many? Which one among them will fit me, which I will accept?” Kwankwaso stated that his stance has already been clearly communicated to those involved in the talks, insisting that only the top positions would justify such a political shift. “I have made it categorically clear that I will only join a coalition that considers me as either the presidential or vice-presidential candidate.” He added that his supporters across the country would not back any defection unless it firmly places him as either the presidential or vice-presidential flag bearer in the 2027 election. The former governor also disclosed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had previously made overtures to him. According to Kwankwaso, those discussions collapsed after the party failed to present what he described as a concrete and meaningful offer capable of benefiting both him and his political base.

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Abba Kabir Yusuf Set To Dump NNPP For APC

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is reportedly on the verge of dumping the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), unless there is a last-minute change of plans. Sources familiar with the development said the governor is prepared to defect with or without the approval of his long-time political mentor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The move is said to have followed wide-ranging consultations with key stakeholders, including members of the Kano State House of Assembly, local government chairmen, and some federal lawmakers from the state. Momentum around the planned defection intensified on Sunday after a video circulated online showing Yusuf’s Director of Protocol, Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, announcing that political leaders in Rogo Local Government Area had agreed to follow the governor to the APC. Speaking alongside party officials, Rogo said influential figures within the Kwankwasiyya movement in the area had concluded that both Kwankwaso and Yusuf should move to the ruling party. “We at Rogo Local Government, under the leadership of Speaker Jibrin Ismail Falgore, myself, the council chairman, caucus leaders, elders, women and youth leaders, have resolved that Kwankwaso is our leader, and that he and Governor Yusuf should take us to APC,” Rogo said. “This resolution is in the best interest of our people, our country, and even Kwankwaso himself. We believe his presidential ambition can be realised in APC if we join now. We remain loyal to Kwankwasiyya, but for now, joining APC is the solution,” he added, while also calling on supporters to avoid abusive politics. Support for the planned switch also emerged from Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area. Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director-General of Media and Publicity at the Kano Government House, backed the decision of his local caucus to follow Yusuf to the APC. The LGA chairman, Anas Danmaliki, acknowledged internal divisions within the Kwankwasiyya movement, saying it had split into pro-masses and anti-masses factions, but maintained that he and his councillors would stand with the governor. According to sources, Yusuf is expected to formally announce his defection in the first week of January. Meanwhile, Senator Kwankwaso reportedly summoned members of the Kano State House of Assembly to a meeting last Friday, where he admitted that the governor was set to leave the NNPP. He reportedly told lawmakers that anyone who wished to follow Yusuf was free to do so, but questioned the justification for the move, reminding them that the party won the 2023 elections “with nobody but God.” Another source disclosed that when the lawmakers later met with Yusuf, he described his decision to join the APC as “irreversible.” Yusuf remains the only governor elected on the NNPP platform in the 2023 general elections.

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NNPP Crisis: Kwankwaso Camp Loses as Court Affirms Agbo Major Leadership

Party writes INEC, demands immediate enforcement of court orders The leadership crisis rocking the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has taken a decisive turn as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja issued fresh orders affirming Dr. Agbo Gilbert Major as the authentic national chairman of the party. The orders, delivered on 25 and 27 November 2025 by Justice Bello Kawu of High Court No. 14, restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or engaging with any faction other than the Agbo Major–led leadership. In the ruling of 25 November, the court granted the NNPP leave to apply for judicial review by mandamus and held that the leave would operate as a stay against any contrary action, recognition, or communication by INEC or the faction led by Dr. Ajuju Ahmed. The judge also ordered an accelerated hearing and abridged timelines, fixing 10 December 2025 for the substantive case. A follow-up ruling on 27 November authorised substituted service on 16 respondents via the NNPP National Secretariat in Abuja. The court further barred INEC from monitoring, attending, or participating in any congress or convention organised by the Ahmed-led group until the matter is resolved. Among the restrained respondents are Dr. Ajuju Ahmed, Hon. Abba Kawu Ali, Prince Nwaeze Onu, Hon. Aladipo Alayokun, Ladipo Johnson, Arc. Mohammed Abacha, and Mustapha Alkassim. Following the court directives, the NNPP’s legal team wrote to the new INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, notifying him of the binding orders. In the letter dated 26 November 2025, the party congratulated the chairman and reminded the Commission of several subsisting court judgments—including those from the Abia State High Court (HUZ/11/2024) and the FCT High Court (FCT/HC/CV/5518/2024)—all affirming the validity of the national convention that produced Dr. Agbo Major. The letter also faulted INEC for previously engaging the Ahmed faction despite these judgments, citing an “unauthorised and illegal” letter dated 31 October 2025 in which Dr. Ahmed and Dipo Olayoku purported to notify INEC of planned congresses and a national convention. The NNPP insisted that the individuals had “no authority, standing, or legal relationship” with the party. The party warned INEC that any further engagement with the factional group would amount to wilful disobedience of court orders and violate Section 287(3) of the 1999 Constitution. It cited the Supreme Court decision in Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu to emphasise that no public authority may place itself above judicial orders. Justice Kawu’s rulings categorically bar INEC from recognising, publishing, or uploading any logo, communication, or document originating from the factional respondents pending the conclusion of the judicial review. The court ordered the NNPP to serve all processes on the respondents within five days, while the respondents must file their counter-affidavits within five days thereafter. The NNPP may reply within three days. The matter is scheduled for hearing on 10 December 2025 at High Court No. 14, Apo, Abuja. In a firm position following the rulings, the NNPP demanded that INEC—“as a matter of necessity”—must upload the Dr. Agbo Gilbert Major and Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday–led National Working Committee (NWC) on its official website and restore the party’s original logo and colours within 48 hours of receiving the enrolled order. The party stressed that there must be no vacuum in administration as it prepares for the next court date. The latest court orders deepen the long-running leadership tussle within the NNPP—a dispute that has resulted in multiple litigations since 2023 and pitted two major factions against each other, including loyalists of former presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

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Abdulmumin Jibrin Leaves NNPP, Returns To APC And Backs Tinubu

Abdulmumin Jibrin, the lawmaker representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency in Kano State, has officially left the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Announcing his defection on Monday via his Facebook page, Jibrin said his supporters had unanimously agreed to abandon the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya Movement to align with the ruling party. “Today, in a show of solidarity, I was warmly received by thousands of my constituents in my hometown of Kofa, Bebeji, Kano,” he wrote. He added that the gathering resolved to join the APC and endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 general elections. Jibrin also noted that nearly 2,000 scholars from his constituency offered prayers for the President, asking for peace, progress, and development for Kiru/Bebeji, Kano State, and Nigeria as a whole. Jibrin’s return to the APC follows his expulsion from the NNPP two months ago over alleged anti-party activities and non-payment of dues. At the time, he described the suspension as “shocking and unjustified,” arguing that the interview cited by the party did not warrant such action. He also accused the NNPP of violating due process and fair hearing by expelling him without giving him a chance to defend himself. Despite the controversy, Jibrin said he accepted the party’s decision in good faith and would not challenge it in court.

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