NNPP accuses kano governor Abba Yusuf of betrayal over defection to APC
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has condemned the defection of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a betrayal of the party, its leader, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, and the people of Kano State.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, NNPP National Spokesperson, Ladipo Johnson, said the decision went beyond personal grievances and amounted to a breach of public trust.
According to him, the people of Kano overwhelmingly voted for the NNPP in the 2023 governorship election largely due to the leadership and influence of Kwankwaso, despite the party having no prior political structure in the state.
“Naturally, Senator Kwankwaso feels betrayed, but this is not just about him. The people endured eight years of what they described as bad governance and came out in their numbers to give a mandate to the NNPP,” Johnson said.
He noted that the party had no councillors or local government chairmen at the time but still secured victory, adding that party supporters stood by Yusuf through legal battles from the tribunal to the Supreme Court.
Johnson argued that Yusuf’s defection to the APC without consulting the electorate amounted to handing power back to a party the people had voted out.
“Without consulting the people, you return power to those who were rejected after eight years. That is an act of betrayal, no matter how it is presented,” he said.
Reacting to claims that Yusuf could have emerged governor without Kwankwaso’s backing, Johnson dismissed the argument, saying such narratives were being pushed for political convenience.
“I am sure His Excellency, Abba Kabir Yusuf, would not stand anywhere in the world to say that he became governor without Kwankwaso’s support,” he added.
Also speaking on the programme, NNPP Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Karaye, said the party was deeply hurt by the governor’s decision but remained politically strong in Kano State.
“We feel devastated and betrayed, but NNPP is still strong and remains the party to beat in Kano,” Karaye said.
He alleged that key party stakeholders were sidelined despite being aware of Yusuf’s plans and dismissed claims that the defection was due to internal crises within the NNPP. Karaye further claimed that party leaders had limited access to the governor and were unable to offer advice.
Governor Yusuf officially defected to the APC on Monday alongside 22 members of the Kano State House of Assembly and nine members of the House of Representatives.
The announcement was made at a political event held at the Coronation Hall of the Government House in Kano, attended by top APC figures including former party National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje; Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin; and Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Abubakar Kabiru Bichi.
Addressing party leaders and supporters, Yusuf said his decision followed extensive consultations across the state and was aimed at strengthening governance and accelerating development.
“We are choosing partnership over polarisation. Political parties are vehicles; the destination is positive change for the people of Kano. Judge this decision by our performance,” the governor said.
Yusuf’s emergence as Kano State governor was closely tied to Senator Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya movement, through which he rose as a prominent political figure. Kwankwaso’s backing was widely credited for Yusuf’s victory in the 2023 governorship election, where he polled 1,019,602 votes to defeat the APC candidate.
However, following his inauguration, pressure mounted on Yusuf to assert his independence as a constitutionally elected governor. While he remained loyal to Kwankwaso during prolonged court battles over his mandate, disagreements over political control and autonomy eventually strained their relationship, culminating in their split in January 2026.