Kwankwaso, Governor Yusuf Plans Defection to APC, Signals Major Political Realignment in Kano
In a dramatic political turnaround, former Kano State Governor and leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has endorsed the planned defection of Governor Abba Yusuf and other elected officials from the NNPP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move widely seen as reshaping Kano’s political landscape.
Kwankwaso announced his decision in a short video message posted on Tuesday by his media aide, Saifullahi Hassan. In the clip, the former governor gave his full backing to the decision of NNPP members to leave the party for the APC, citing the need to respect their political rights and reduce internal tensions within the party.
The endorsement marks a sharp reversal from Kwankwaso’s earlier hardline position. Until recently, he had openly opposed the defection plans, accusing Governor Yusuf and other NNPP office holders of betraying the trust of Kano voters who elected them on the party’s platform.
The sudden shift has sent shockwaves across Kano State, where the NNPP has remained a dominant political force since the 2023 elections. Political observers say Kwankwaso’s move reflects a strategic recalculation amid growing internal fractures and the apparent inevitability of the defections.
In the video, Kwankwaso suggested that allowing members to pursue their political choices freely would help calm rising tensions and prevent further divisions within the NNPP in the state.
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Analysts believe the endorsement may be an attempt by the former governor to retain relevance and influence in a fast-evolving political situation, opting to manage the fallout rather than confront an exodus already gaining momentum.
The planned defections, if carried through, are expected to significantly strengthen the APC in Kano and alter the balance of power ahead of future electoral contests.
More details are expected to emerge as events unfold.
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