By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
Kano, Nigeria —
In a dramatic political turnaround that has sent shockwaves through Kano State and the wider northern political landscape, former Governor of Kano State 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 NNPP officials to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Kwankwaso made the revelation in a short video circulated on social media on Tuesday and later shared by his media aide, Saifullahi Hassan, effectively confirming weeks of speculation about an imminent political realignment in Kano.
The Merit Newspaper reports that the endorsement marks a major U-turn for the former governor, who only weeks ago publicly condemned Governor Yusuf and other NNPP office holders for allegedly betraying the party and the electorate by negotiating a return to the APC. At the time, Kwankwaso had warned that any defection would amount to a “breach of trust” against the millions of Kano voters who rallied behind the NNPP in the 2023 elections.
But in the new video, Kwankwaso struck a markedly conciliatory tone, acknowledging that political realities and the need to protect Kano’s interests at the federal level had informed his decision to support the move.
“Politics is about the people and their welfare. If aligning with the federal government will bring more development, stability and opportunities to Kano, then it is a sacrifice we must be willing to make,” Kwankwaso was quoted as saying in the footage.
A Political Earthquake in Kano
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, a long-time protégé of Kwankwaso, rode to power in 2023 on the back of the Kwankwasiyya movement, defeating the APC in one of the most fiercely contested governorship elections in Nigeria. The NNPP victory ended the APC’s grip on Kano and was widely seen as Kwankwaso’s biggest political comeback.
However, since assuming office, Yusuf’s relationship with the federal APC government has been uneasy, with party insiders complaining of limited access to federal support and mounting political pressure from opposition forces within the state.
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Political analysts believe the planned defection is a strategic attempt by the Kano governor to consolidate power, avoid isolation, and secure federal backing for major infrastructure, education, and social intervention projects in Africa’s most populous state.
“This is not just a defection; it is a reconfiguration of northern politics,” said a Kano-based political analyst, Sadiq Bala. “With Kwankwaso’s blessing, Abba Yusuf’s move becomes legitimate in the eyes of many of his supporters.”
NNPP on the Brink
The endorsement, however, has thrown the NNPP into deep uncertainty. Kano is the party’s strongest base in Nigeria, and the exit of its governor, lawmakers, and council chairmen could effectively cripple the party’s national relevance.
Several NNPP loyalists have expressed shock and disappointment, accusing the party leadership of abandoning the ideals of political reform that drew millions of young voters to Kwankwaso’s movement.
“This is a betrayal of the Kwankwasiyya dream,” said a youth leader of the party who asked not to be named. “We voted NNPP to build an alternative, not to return to the same old system.”
APC Poised for a Major Gain
For the ruling APC, the development represents a major political boost ahead of the 2027 general elections. Regaining Kano — a state with one of the largest voting populations in the country — would significantly strengthen the party’s electoral map and northern dominance.
Senior APC figures in Kano have already begun preparing for what sources describe as a “grand reception” for Governor Yusuf and other defectors, which could happen within days if negotiations are finalised.
What This Means for 2027
Kwankwaso’s endorsement has also reignited speculation about his own political future. Observers say the move could signal behind-the-scenes negotiations between the Kwankwasiyya leader and the APC at the national level, possibly paving the way for alliances ahead of the next presidential race.
For now, Kano remains at the centre of Nigeria’s shifting political chessboard — with one video statement from Kwankwaso enough to upend party loyalties, redraw alliances, and redefine the balance of power in the North.
