Kano Assembly Supports Yusuf’s Planned Defection Warns NNPP Crisis Threatens Mandate

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The Kano State House of Assembly has expressed support for Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s anticipated defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), citing the party’s growing internal disputes and multiple ongoing court cases as major risks to his mandate. Lawmakers stressed that remaining in the party could jeopardize not only the governor but also other elected officials under the NNPP banner.

Legal Concerns Echo Zamfara 2019

Majority Leader Lawan Hussaini told journalists on Wednesday that unresolved conflicts within the NNPP could replicate the judicial upheaval seen in Zamfara State during the 2019 elections. He explained that the party’s ongoing factional battles and conflicting court rulings have created confusion over which group holds legitimate authority and who is empowered to nominate candidates.

“There is an existing court judgment recognizing one faction of the NNPP,” Hussaini said. “We cannot remain in the party and risk reliving the legal catastrophe that occurred in Zamfara State.” He warned that this instability increases the political vulnerability of all officials aligned with the NNPP in Kano.

Lawmakers Engage With Party Leaders

According to reports, the Assembly is already in dialogue with both Governor Yusuf and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, to ensure a coordinated decision regarding a potential shift to a more stable political platform, which may include joining the All Progressives Congress (APC). Hussaini cautioned that continued internal NNPP disputes could lead to courts invalidating candidates’ nominations, potentially removing sitting officeholders by judicial decree.

He drew attention to Zamfara’s 2019 example, where the APC initially won nearly all positions but lost them after internal party conflicts invalidated its primaries. Days before inauguration, the Supreme Court transferred victories to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including the governorship.

Kwankwaso Calls for Accountability Among Defectors

Meanwhile, Senator Kwankwaso addressed members of the Kwankwasiyya movement who have defected or plan to, stressing the importance of honoring previous support. He noted that defections rarely occur without incentives.

“For someone to abandon his house and go elsewhere, it does not just happen without reason. These people, no doubt, have collected ‘goods’,” Kwankwaso said. He urged defectors to recognize past efforts and repay what is due before joining another party.

Kwankwaso also warned against being seduced by short-term benefits, reminding supporters that past defectors often faced regrets and personal consequences. “Many of those flaunting things now do not sleep well. It is painful to sit alone and say, ‘If I had known, I would not have made some decisions.’” He emphasized that betrayal carries lasting effects that can affect families and lineage.

NNPP Challenges Court Order

Adding to the political tension, the NNPP faction loyal to Kwankwaso rejected an alleged ex parte court order from the Kano State High Court, which purportedly reversed the dissolution of its state and local executives.

In Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, described the report as “a farce” and a misuse of judicial authority. He explained that the National Working Committee had not been served and dismissed the ruling as “mere street gossip.”

Even if the order existed, Johnson argued, it would be invalid, asserting that courts lack jurisdiction over internal party decisions—a position reinforced by repeated Supreme Court rulings. He reiterated that the dissolution of the Kano executives remains in effect and confirmed that the party would pursue all legal remedies, including petitions to the National Judicial Council against judges issuing “overreaching” directives.

Analysis: Political Stability Versus Party Loyalty

The Assembly’s backing of Governor Yusuf’s defection highlights the tension between political survival and party loyalty. With NNPP embroiled in legal disputes and leadership struggles, lawmakers are prioritizing stability and protection of mandates over allegiance to a party in disarray. Analysts suggest that the governor’s potential move to a more secure platform could reshape Kano’s political dynamics ahead of the next elections, while Kwankwaso’s call for accountability underscores the long-term consequences for defectors navigating these turbulent waters.