Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has formally resigned his membership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), citing persistent internal crises and the need to safeguard the broader interests of the people of the state.
The development was disclosed on Friday by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, while presenting Yusuf’s letter of resignation. According to Tofa, the letter was addressed to the Chairman of the NNPP in Diso-Chiranchi Ward, Gwale Local Government Area, with the resignation taking effect from January 23, 2026.
In the letter, the governor expressed gratitude to the party but said his decision followed careful reflection. He attributed his exit to deepening internal challenges arising from leadership disputes and ongoing legal battles within the party, many of which are currently before the courts.
Governor Yusuf noted that the disagreements had weakened unity and created divisions that appeared increasingly irreconcilable, generating uncertainty at both the state and national levels of the party. He said the growing sense of disenfranchisement among members had resulted in cracks within the party structure.
The governor explained that his resignation was guided solely by public interest and not by bitterness or ill will. He stressed that the decision was taken in good faith and with a continued commitment to peace, unity, and the progress of Kano State.
Yusuf also expressed appreciation to the NNPP leadership and members for the opportunity and support extended to him since joining the party in 2022, describing his time in the party as a significant part of his political journey.
Reports indicate that the governor is leaving the NNPP alongside 21 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives, and 44 local government chairmen across the state.
Confirming receipt of the resignation letter, the NNPP Secretary of Diso-Chiranchi Ward, Hon. Kabiru Zubairu, acknowledged the lingering crisis within the party and said the resignation had been accepted. He praised Governor Yusuf as one of the most performing governors produced by the NNPP, commending his achievements in infrastructure development, urban renewal, healthcare, education, and economic empowerment.
While the governor is yet to officially announce his next political destination, strong speculation persists that he may join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), following his recent meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The NNPP recorded a breakthrough in Kano during the 2023 general elections, driven largely by the influence of its national leader and former governor of the state, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The party’s presidential candidate won a majority of local government areas in Kano, underscoring its grassroots strength.
Governor Yusuf, running on the NNPP platform, won the March 18, 2023, governorship election with 1,019,602 votes, defeating the APC candidate, Nasir Gawuna, who polled 890,705 votes. The party also secured several seats in the Kano State House of Assembly and made gains in re-run polls, further consolidating its dominance at the time.
However, tensions intensified in late 2025 following reports that Yusuf was considering defection to the APC, a move that drew strong opposition from NNPP leaders and Kwankwaso loyalists. The party leadership publicly rejected the defection claims, while Kwankwaso warned that “betrayal never pays” and insisted that the party’s strength lay with its grassroots supporters.
Security was tightened around the Kano Government House last week as speculation grew over Yusuf’s political future and his strained relationship with Kwankwaso. On Monday, the governor met President Tinubu in Abuja, a meeting his spokesperson said focused on briefing the president on security and developmental challenges in Kano.
Political observers say Yusuf’s resignation marks a significant turning point in Kano politics and could trigger major realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with potential national implications if key political actors and their supporters follow him into a new party platform.
