Former Kano State Governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has said that a possible defection of Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) should not be regarded as an act of betrayal.
Shekarau made the assertion in an interview with DCL Hausa, monitored by Trust Africa Media, against the backdrop of growing speculations and internal tensions within the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya political movement.
He said political affiliation was a personal decision influenced by consultations and prevailing circumstances, and not necessarily an act of disloyalty.
Reacting to comments credited to the NNPP national leader, Sen. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, that Gov. Yusuf should vacate his seat if he defects, Shekarau said such a position ignored past political precedents.
“I listened to my brother, Kwankwaso’s remarks. To me, Kwankwaso has either forgotten what happened in the past or he thought people have forgotten,” Shekarau said.
He recalled that Kwankwaso defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC while serving as governor, without relinquishing his mandate.
“When he was in PDP, he also left with the governorship seat to APC. Why didn’t he drop it for PDP? The way he took PDP’s seat to APC is likely the same way Abba will take the NNPP seat to APC,” he said.
According to Shekarau, describing such political decisions as offensive was inconsistent with Kano State’s political history.
He also spoke on the circumstances that led to his exit from the NNPP, attributing it to unresolved disagreements over power-sharing arrangements.
Shekarau said that after he and Kwankwaso defected from the APC to the NNPP, meetings were held in Abuja and Kano to agree on the sharing of elective positions and appointments, with a committee chaired by Gov. Yusuf.
“Abba spent about three months without delivering the assignment. Suddenly, a list came out and there was no single person from our side except me,” he said.
He added that although Kwankwaso queried the development in his presence, the issue was not resolved, prompting him and his supporters to set up a 30-man committee which eventually recommended leaving the NNPP.
“I rejected the arrangement because I could not take a senatorial ticket alone while my people got nothing,” Shekarau said.
He maintained that political defection should not automatically be interpreted as betrayal, especially when it followed consultations with supporters.
“In life, one chooses for himself. If you have tangible reasons and the people you are with are okay with it, that is all,” he said.
Shekarau advised that Gov. Yusuf should be allowed to make his decision without being vilified.
“If Abba has his own reasons and those around him agree, I don’t see any betrayal here,” he said.
