Kano Power Struggle Intensifies as Kwankwaso Demands Loyalty Amid Yusuf’s Defection Plans

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The political fallout between Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, and leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has escalated sharply following reports that the governor is preparing to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In response to growing speculation about Yusuf’s imminent exit from the NNPP, Kwankwaso is said to have introduced a loyalty register for political office holders, aimed at determining who remains aligned with his leadership.

Kwankwaso’s action came as Governor Yusuf marked his 63rd birthday in Abuja, an event attended by senior government officials and prominent political figures.

While the governor celebrated in the Federal Capital Territory, Kwankwaso reportedly boycotted the gathering and instead convened what party insiders described as strategic engagement meetings at his residence in Kano, involving NNPP stakeholders and key figures within the Kwankwasiyya Movement.

Sources told The Nation that the contrasting moves by both leaders have deepened divisions within the NNPP, creating sharp fault lines that now extend into the National Assembly caucus.

Reports indicate that Governor Yusuf has secured the support of the 40-member Kano State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Jibril Isma’il Falgore, as well as all 44 local government chairmen across the state.

However, NNPP lawmakers from Kano at the federal level remain divided over the proposed defection.

Of the 21 members representing Kano State in the House of Representatives, 13 were elected under the NNPP platform.

Among them, Umar Mukhtari Zakari (Tarauni) has openly opposed Yusuf’s planned move to the APC.

In contrast, Aliyu Sani Madaki (Dala), Abdulmumin Jibrin (Bebeji/Kiru), Yusuf Rabiu (Sumaila/Takai), and Sani Abdullahi (Karaye/Rogo) have already crossed over to the ruling party.

Also reported to have defected are Kabiru Usman, who won a rerun election in Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya on the NNPP platform, and Sagir Ibrahim Koki (Kano Municipal).

Although the formal defection ceremony was initially scheduled for Monday, the APC national leadership postponed the event to January 12.

Under the original arrangement, Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, were expected to officially receive Yusuf into the party.

Party insiders revealed that the postponement was intended to allow further consultations with Kano-based National Assembly members and other critical stakeholders who have yet to fully align with the move.

A close aide to the governor disclosed that Yusuf has not yet completed formal registration at his ward nor obtained an APC membership card.

Sources say the defection is part of a broader political strategy to reposition Yusuf within the Kano APC power structure and strengthen his chances of clinching the party’s governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.

Kwankwaso, who has strongly opposed the plan, is reportedly weighing a possible move to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a form of political protest.

Party insiders warned that Yusuf’s departure would significantly weaken the Kwankwasiyya Movement, recalling Kwankwaso’s long-held stance that betrayal of the movement comes with consequences.

The deepening rift between the two leaders also led to the removal of Hashimu Dungurawa, a known Kwankwaso loyalist, as NNPP state chairman.

Governor Yusuf subsequently appointed Alhaji Abdullahi Zubairu Abiya as acting state chairman.

A Kano State High Court upheld Dungurawa’s suspension and restrained him from presenting himself as chairman pending the outcome of the case.

However, the NNPP national secretariat rejected the leadership change, declaring it invalid, and went further to dissolve the party’s ward, local government, and state executive structures indefinitely.

The APC is reportedly viewing Yusuf’s defection as a major political gain, one that could strip the NNPP of its only governorship seat and significantly diminish its national relevance.

Party leaders believe the move would further consolidate APC dominance in Kano and improve its prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Kano APC power bloc, led by former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, has openly signaled readiness to accommodate Yusuf.

Both Ganduje and the state APC chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, have encouraged the governor to join the ruling party without hesitation.

However, Yusuf’s anticipated entry into the APC is expected to trigger internal competition, particularly over the party’s 2027 governorship ticket.

Political analysts note that the development could complicate Barau Jibrin’s own ambitions and reshape alliances, negotiations, and voter calculations in Kano.

While Barau has remained publicly noncommittal, Senator Rufai Sani Hanga (Kano Central) has chosen to remain with the NNPP under Kwankwaso’s leadership.

Meanwhile, Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila (Kano South), who defected to the APC last year, has distanced himself from the Kwankwasiyya Movement.