Defection plan: Kwankwaso wishes Abba Yusuf well

By Samuel Solomon

Former Governor and national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has formally endorsed the planned defection of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and other elected NNPP officials to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Kwankwaso made the stunning announcement in a short video posted on his official Facebook page on Tuesday, a clip later shared by his media aide, Saifullahi Hassan. The development has triggered intense political reactions across Kano State and beyond.

Explaining his sudden change of position, Kwankwaso said his decision was driven by the need to allow party members exercise their political rights freely and to reduce rising internal tensions within the NNPP in Kano State.

According to a report by pressmen, the former governor noted that persistent disagreements, political pressure, and internal conflicts within the party had made it necessary to prioritise stability and cohesion over prolonged confrontation.

“I have received several news, some good ones, but some so terrible,” Kwankwaso said in the video. “I received reports that the Kano State Government is compelling state officials and elected local government chairmen to sign for either Gandujiyya or Kwankwasiyya.”

He described the alleged development as disheartening, warning that such actions could provoke serious backlash from party supporters.

“Every of our supporters would not take this lightly. It is so disheartening that government would go down so low to be doing this,” he added.

Despite the concerns, Kwankwaso urged his loyalists and followers not to resist the defection process, stating clearly that he would not stand in their way if they chose to join the APC.

“You should sign any documents given to you for the decamping to the APC; I have no problems with that,” he declared.

The endorsement is widely seen as a major boost for the APC ahead of future political realignments in Kano State, while raising serious questions about the future cohesion and relevance of the NNPP in its former stronghold.