By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
Kano, Jan. 26, 2026 — In a major political realignment that reshapes the power structure of Kano State, former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin have jointly endorsed Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf as the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, following his formal defection to the party on Monday.
The endorsement, reached after high-level consultations among APC stakeholders in Kano, was unanimously anchored on the provisions of the APC constitution, which recognises a sitting governor as the party’s leader at the state level.
With this development, Abba Kabir Yusuf—until recently a leading figure in the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)—has now been officially acknowledged as the APC leader in Kano State, marking a significant turn in the state’s political trajectory.
Speaking after the consensus meeting, Ganduje described the decision as a deliberate move to strengthen party unity and ensure stability ahead of future political engagements.
“The constitution of our great party is very clear. Wherever the APC produces a sitting governor, that governor automatically becomes the leader of the party in that state,” Ganduje said. “Our collective decision is in the interest of unity, progress and the overall success of the APC in Kano.”
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, a long-time political heavyweight in Kano North, said the party leadership resolved to put internal rivalry aside in favour of cohesion and electoral strength.
“Politics is about strategy and timing,” Barau noted. “What we have done today is to close ranks and place the party above personal interests. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is now one of us, and as a sitting governor, he deserves our full support.”
A Defection with Far-Reaching Implications
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s defection to the APC on Monday, January 26, 2026, ends months of political speculation and signals a dramatic shift in Kano’s power dynamics. Elected governor under the NNPP platform in 2023, Yusuf had maintained a careful distance from the ruling APC at the federal level, even as political alliances continued to evolve behind the scenes.
In a brief address to party leaders and supporters after his defection, Yusuf said his decision was guided by the need to align Kano State more effectively with the federal government and accelerate development.
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“My decision to join the APC is based on the overriding interest of Kano people,” Yusuf said. “This is not about personal ambition, but about creating stronger cooperation between the state and the centre for the benefit of our citizens.”
He assured party members that his leadership would be inclusive and consultative.
“I have come to build bridges, not walls,” the governor added. “Together, we will strengthen the APC, deepen internal democracy and deliver good governance to the people of Kano State.”
Party Unity and Strategic Calculations
Political analysts say the endorsement of Yusuf by Ganduje and Barau effectively neutralises potential leadership disputes within the APC in Kano, a state long known for intense political competition.
The move is also seen as a strategic step ahead of future elections, positioning the APC to consolidate power in a state with one of the largest voting populations in Nigeria.
A senior APC official who attended the meeting said the consensus reflects a shared understanding of political realities.
“Once you have the governor, you have the structure,” the official said. “What happened today shows maturity and a clear focus on winning and governing.”
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As Kano enters a new political chapter, the convergence of old rivals under one party banner underscores the fluid nature of Nigerian politics—and the growing importance of unity in determining electoral success.
