Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf is expected to formally defect from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) this weekend, sources familiar with the matter said.
The governor reportedly disclosed the new timeline during a closed-door meeting with members of the Kano State House of Assembly past midnight on Thursday.
A lawmaker who attended the meeting, and spoke on condition of anonymity, said Yusuf told legislators that he would resign from the NNPP on Saturday, formally declare for the APC on Sunday, and collect his membership card on Monday.
“The governor told us clearly that Saturday is for resignation from NNPP, Sunday for declaration into APC, while Monday is for the collection of his membership card,” the lawmaker said.
According to the source, Yusuf also informed the lawmakers that he had negotiated a 60 per cent stake with the national leadership of the APC.
“He said he has secured about 60 per cent stake at the national level and that a committee will soon be inaugurated to work out the modalities for taking a majority stake ahead of the party’s congress,” the source added.
The governor reportedly told the lawmakers that it was at their insistence that he met with President Bola Tinubu to persuade the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to join him in the APC.
Although President Tinubu was said to have planned a meeting with Kwankwaso on Tuesday, sources said the meeting may have been cancelled.
Multiple sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Kano Times that Yusuf’s defection was certain.
“Everything has been concluded. The governor is definitely joining the APC. What remains is just the public declaration,” one source said.
Another source added: “There is no going back. The arrangements are complete, and the dates have been fixed.”
Meanwhile, it was learnt that Kwankwaso has resolved not to join the APC, as discussions on an alliance with former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have reached an advanced stage.
Confirming the development, the National Legal Adviser of the NNPP and a leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Magaji Ibrahim SAN, said Kwankwaso was prepared to work with Obi either as president or vice president.
Ibrahim, who said he was a member of the committee handling the talks, added that discussions between both camps had progressed significantly.
“There is ongoing discussion between Kwankwaso and Obi, and a committee is actually in place for the actualisation of the alliance. The committee is from both sides, and I am a member,” he said.
“We are ready to work together either for the first or second position. The central point is to salvage the nation,” Ibrahim added.
On reports that Kwankwaso might move to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ibrahim said the party had reached out and discussions were ongoing.
“We are discussing with them at the moment. There is a move to meet us, but we’re yet to meet,” he said.
Asked if Kwankwaso would consider joining the ADC without securing the presidential or vice-presidential ticket, Ibrahim replied, “I don’t think we can consider anything short of the second position.”
