Photo: Governor Abba Yusuf
…Ganduje announces Abba as Kano APC leader, vows automatic ticket for gov
By Didimoko A. Didimoko
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing the need to act in the overall interest of peace, stability and accelerated development of the state.
Yusuf announced his defection on Monday at an event held at the Coronation Hall of the Kano State Government House. He said the decision was driven by the need to foster unity and fast-track development across Kano, stressing that his primary focus remains the delivery of good governance and tangible dividends of democracy to residents.
The governor had earlier resigned from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) on Friday, blaming deepening internal crises and prolonged leadership disputes within the party for his exit.
His defection was followed by a fresh political development, as the Kano State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development resigned from Yusuf’s cabinet. The commissioner is the son of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the former governor of Kano State, leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement and Yusuf’s estranged political godfather. Political observers see the resignation as a further sign of the widening rift between Yusuf and the Kwankwaso-led Kwankwasiyya political structure.
Several prominent APC leaders attended Yusuf’s defection ceremony, including former APC National Chairman and ex-governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje; Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; and Senator Kawu Sumaila. Members of the Kano State Executive Council, party stakeholders and senior government officials were also in attendance.
Yusuf’s move came just hours after 21 members of the Kano State House of Assembly also defected from the NNPP to the APC, consolidating the party’s growing influence in the state.
Speaking at the event, Ganduje said the APC had resolved to grant Governor Yusuf automatic recognition within the party, including the position of party leader in Kano State. He explained that the party’s internal arrangement recognises a sitting governor as the leader of the party in the state.
Ganduje also disclosed that the APC’s 2023 governorship candidate, his running mate and other aspirants who had shown interest in contesting the 2027 governorship election had agreed to step down and support Yusuf.
“We are happy to receive the governor of Kano State and his supporters into the APC,” Ganduje said. “There is no crisis in APC in Kano. Those who contested in 2023 and others who indicated interest have all agreed to step down for you. In APC, whoever is the governor automatically assumes the position of party leader in the state.”
He expressed optimism that Yusuf would contest and win the 2027 governorship election on the platform of the APC, describing the defection as a major boost for the party.
The developments mark a significant realignment in Kano’s political landscape, deepening the split between the APC and the Kwankwasiyya movement, and setting the stage for intense political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general elections.
