Political tension has heightened in Kano State following reports that Governor Abba Yusuf may be considering a defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), with a substantial number of elected officials allegedly backing the move.
Reports circulating within political circles indicate that no fewer than 35 local government chairmen and 29 lawmakers are said to be aligned with the governor amid the growing speculation.
The alleged plan has, however, been met with stiff opposition from the leadership of the NNPP, including its national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, further exposing internal rifts within the party in Kano State.
Reacting to the development, the NNPP Chairman in Kano State, Hon. Hashim Suleiman Dungurawa, said the party was aware of the political moves but did not support any defection to the APC.
“We are aware of the developments happening here in Kano State concerning some individuals who intend to defect to the APC,” Dungurawa said in a statement issued on behalf of the party at the state and national levels.
He said, “I want to make it clear that the Kano State party, the national party, and our national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, together with other leaders, do not approve of what is happening.”
Dungurawa said the party had made efforts to engage those allegedly involved and urged them to remain within the NNPP in the interest of the state.
“We did everything within our power to persuade them to be patient and not defect to the APC, because of our responsibility to them and our responsibility to the people of Kano,” he said.
He also appealed to Governor Yusuf and others reportedly planning to leave the party to reconsider their decision.
“On behalf of all of us collectively, we once again appeal to them, for the sake of Allah and the Prophet, not to leave this party and not to defect to the party that we have opposed and which the masses and other voters have rejected,” Dungurawa said.
The NNPP chairman dismissed claims that party officials were plotting to pitch the governor against Kwankwaso, insisting that the party leadership remained united.
“We have never put anyone against our leader, and if anyone has evidence, let them present it,” he said.
Dungurawa also urged party members to disregard documents allegedly being circulated by what he described as “mischief makers” and called on residents of the state to remain calm and law-abiding.
When contacted, the Director-General, Media and Publicity to the Kano State Government, Malam Sanusi Bature, confirmed that disagreements existed within the party but declined to comment on the defection rumour.
“Yes, there are issues within the party, and we are aware of the disagreements,” Bature said. “However, I cannot speak on any matter relating to defection at this time.”
He said the NNPP leadership was addressing the matter internally and advised against speculation.
Meanwhile, an online platform, Politics Digest, reported that Governor Yusuf was concluding plans to defect to the APC by January 6, 2026, a move that would reportedly leave the NNPP without a sitting governor nationwide.
The report linked the alleged defection to an internal crisis over the 2027 governorship ticket, claiming that Yusuf had fallen out with some key figures within the Kwankwasiyya political movement.
It further alleged that the rift deepened following moves to investigate alleged corruption involving some associates of Kwankwaso, including claims related to drug procurement, foreign scholarship funds and local government election nomination fees.
According to the report, Yusuf is not expected to defect alone, as he is allegedly moving with at least 35 of the 44 local government chairmen, 19 members of the Kano State House of Assembly and 10 members of the House of Representatives, bringing the number of lawmakers said to be backing him to 29.
The Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly was also mentioned among those allegedly supporting the move.
The report added that the governor’s alleged defection could trigger a major political realignment in Kano State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
