Crisis between Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, and leader of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, don deepen as both men dey part ways over plan by di governor to defect to All Progressives Congress (APC).
In reaction to reports say Governor Yusuf dey ready to dump NNPP for APC, Kwankwaso don open loyalty register for political office holders to check who still dey loyal to him leadership and di Kwankwasiyya Movement.
Sources say Kwankwaso start checking him loyalists for Kano same time wey Governor Yusuf dey celebrate him 63rd birthday for Abuja, Federal Capital Territory. While top government officials and party leaders gather with di governor, Kwankwaso avoid di ceremony and instead hold series of meetings for him Kano residence with NNPP stakeholders and members of Kwankwasiyya Movement.
Insiders say di moves and counter-moves by Yusuf and Kwankwaso don polarise NNPP, dividing party members for National Assembly and beyond.
Governor Yusuf don already secure support of di 40-member Kano State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Jibril Isma’il Falgore, as well as all di 44 local government chairmen in di state.
However, NNPP federal lawmakers no dey united on di defection plan. Kano State get 21 members for House of Representatives, out of which 13 belong to NNPP. Sources say di disagreement don split dem.
Out of di 13 NNPP Reps, Umar Mukhtari Zakari, wey represent Tarauni Constituency, don openly reject di defection plan. But Aliyu Sani Madaki (Dala), Abdulmumin Jibrin (Bebeji/Kiru), Yusuf Rabiu (Sumaila/Takai) and Sani Abdullahi (Karaye/Rogo) don already move to APC.
Also, Kabiru Usman, wey win rerun election for Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya Constituency under NNPP, and Sagir Ibrahim Koki (Kano Municipal) don defect to APC.
Although di mass defection suppose happen earlier, APC national leadership postpone am till January 12. Initially, Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, were expected to officially receive Governor Yusuf into di party.
Party sources say di postponement aim to allow more consultations with National Assembly members and key stakeholders wey never fully agree to di move.
One close aide of di governor say Yusuf never officially register for APC at him ward and never collect APC membership card, meaning di defection never formally completed.
Sources say di defection be part of wider political realignment to position Yusuf for major leadership role inside Kano APC and strengthen him chances of securing di governorship ticket ahead of 2027 elections.
However, di move don face stiff opposition from Kwankwaso, wey sources say dey consider moving to African Democratic Congress (ADC) in protest. Kwankwaso don earlier warn say nobody betray Kwankwasiyya Movement and go free.
Insiders believe say Yusuf defection go deal serious blow to Kwankwaso-led movement in Kano.
Meanwhile, di existing power bloc of Kano APC, led by former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, don publicly express readiness to work with Yusuf. Ganduje and APC Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, don also encourage di governor to join di ruling party.
Observers say Yusuf eventual entry into APC fit spark fresh rivalry inside di party and weaken di governorship ambition of Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, a development wey fit shape future negotiations, alliances and voter alignment for Kano State ahead of 2027 elections.
