BREAKING: Kwankwaso Endorses Kano Governor’s Defection to APC

Former governor and national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has endorsed the planned defection of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and other elected officials of the party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

The announcement, made via a short video that surfaced on Facebook on Tuesday, has sent shockwaves across Kano and beyond, marking one of the most significant political shifts in the state since the 2023 general elections.

 

The video, shared by Kwankwaso’s media aide, Saifullahi Hassan, shows the former governor addressing party supporters and political stakeholders, confirming that he no longer opposes the decision of Governor Yusuf and other NNPP office holders to leave the party. The endorsement represents a striking reversal of Kwankwaso’s earlier stance, as he had previously condemned the planned defection and accused the governor and others of betraying the mandate freely given to them by the people of Kano under the NNPP platform.

 

Kwankwaso, a towering figure in Kano politics and the architect of the Kwankwasiyya movement, had built the NNPP into a formidable force in the state, culminating in the election of Yusuf as governor in 2023. At the time, the victory was widely interpreted as a personal triumph for Kwankwaso, who had broken away from the APC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at different points in his career to chart a new political path. His decision to now endorse a return to the APC has therefore surprised many supporters and critics alike.

 

Explaining his new position in the video, Kwankwaso said his decision was guided by the need to allow party members exercise their political rights without undue restriction. He noted that politics is dynamic and that leaders must sometimes take difficult decisions to prevent internal crises from spiralling out of control. According to him, rising tensions within the NNPP in Kano, fuelled by disagreements over leadership, loyalty, and future direction, made it imperative to adopt a more conciliatory approach.

 

“I have always believed that every politician has the right to choose where he or she belongs,” Kwankwaso said. “When I initially opposed the defection, it was because I felt the mandate given by the people should be respected. But given the realities on ground and the growing divisions within the party, I have decided not to stand in the way of those who have chosen a different path.”

 

The endorsement has been interpreted by political observers as an attempt by Kwankwaso to manage an already unfolding political realignment rather than confront it head-on. Analysts argue that the momentum behind the planned defection had grown so strong that continued resistance could have left the former governor isolated and weakened his influence within Kano politics.

 

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, a long-time ally and protégé of Kwankwaso, has been at the centre of speculation over a possible defection for weeks. Sources within the NNPP and APC alike had hinted at high-level negotiations aimed at bringing the Kano governor and other elected officials into the ruling party, a move believed to be driven by the desire to secure federal support and political stability ahead of future elections.

 

Although Yusuf has not yet publicly announced the exact date of his defection, Kwankwaso’s endorsement appears to have removed the last major obstacle standing in the way. Many party insiders now believe it is only a matter of time before the governor, members of the Kano State House of Assembly, and other NNPP office holders formally cross over to the APC.

 

Reactions to Kwankwaso’s announcement have been swift and mixed. Supporters of the move argue that it reflects political maturity and pragmatism, especially in a state where alignment with the federal government is often seen as crucial for accessing resources and implementing development projects. They contend that joining the APC could strengthen Kano’s bargaining power at the national level and reduce friction between the state and the centre.

 

However, critics have accused Kwankwaso of abandoning the ideals that led to the formation of the NNPP in the first place. Some loyalists within the party have expressed disappointment, describing the endorsement as a betrayal of the millions of Kano voters who rallied behind the NNPP as an alternative to the dominant parties. For these critics, the defection represents a collapse of the “third force” narrative that Kwankwaso had championed on the national stage during the 2023 presidential election.

 

Within the APC, the development has been greeted with optimism. Party leaders see the potential defection of Kano’s governor and his allies as a major boost, given the state’s strategic importance as one of the most populous in the country. Kano has long been a key battleground in Nigerian politics, and control of its political machinery is often decisive in national elections.

 

Political analysts say Kwankwaso’s endorsement may also be part of a broader calculation to retain relevance in the evolving political order. By aligning himself with the realities of power rather than remaining rigidly opposed, he may be positioning himself as a bridge between different political blocs. This could prove advantageous should he seek to negotiate future roles or concessions within the APC-dominated political landscape.

 

Despite the endorsement, questions remain about the future of the NNPP in Kano and nationally. With its most prominent office holders poised to exit, the party risks losing its foothold in the state that served as its strongest base. Whether the NNPP can reorganise, attract new leadership, or reinvent itself remains uncertain.

 

For now, Kwankwaso’s unexpected U-turn has altered the political conversation in Kano, signalling the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. As the state awaits the formal defection of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and others, the long-term implications of this realignment—for governance, party politics, and voter trust—are likely to unfold in the months ahead.