KANO politics has been thrown into fresh uncertainty following reports that the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, is planning to defect from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
For years, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso aspired to be Kano’s undisputed political kingmaker. He only succeeded in realising this ambition by installing his perceived political godson as the current governor of the state.
His earlier attempts had failed; notably, the current governor is the only candidate Kwankwaso attempted to install twice.
Although no official statement has been issued by the governor’s office since reports of the planned defection emerged, the body language of prominent government officials suggests that the plan is already in motion and that it is only a matter of time. So far, only the Speaker of the State Assembly, Yusuf Falgore, has publicly endorsed the governor’s planned defection. Sources also indicate that a significant number of local government chairmen have joined the governor’s defection train.
Even before the recent attempt at reclaiming the political and power throne by its rightful owner, there were widespread insinuations that the relationship between the political godfather and godson was far from cordial, despite both camps publicly maintaining that all was well.
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The governor’s recent move to crossover to the ruling party has been strongly opposed by the state party leadership and the NNPP’s national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. This development has triggered internal disagreements within the NNPP, particularly between supporters of the governor and loyalists of the Kwankwasiyya movement.
Since news broke of Governor Abba’s intention to defect to the APC, claims have circulated that he was acting with Kwankwaso’s consent. Those who believed that Governor Abba planned to defect with Kwankwaso’s approval made a grave misjudgement.
This is not a coordinated plan; rather, it is a political conflict akin to that between a father and a son.
From a rational political standpoint, the situation reflects a deep and intense struggle — a clear attempt at reclaiming the throne between the Governor of Kano State and the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso.
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By all political indicators, the governor’s effort to reclaim the throne appears aimed at securing absolute control and liberating himself from total submission to the national leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement.
In response to the unfolding conflict, the NNPP national leader has intensified efforts to rally federal and state lawmakers, local government chairmen, and party structures to remain loyal to him. Kwankwaso’s reaction has been firm but defensive.
Kwankwaso, addressing them, reportedly stated that it was evident the governor was abandoning the NNPP for the APC and that any member wishing to follow him was free to do so. He reminded them that they won the election by divine grace alone, asking rhetorically: “Will the God who gave us power in 2023 not still be there in 2027?”
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He has denied any involvement in defection plans and reaffirmed his loyalty to the NNPP and its ideology, warning supporters against what he described as “betrayal. However, events on the ground tell a different story, as several local government chairmen, along with state and federal lawmakers, appear to be gravitating toward the governor’s camp.
Ahead of his anticipated defection, and in a bid to strengthen his political base, the governor has reportedly been working behind the scenes to secure the support of National Assembly members and NNPP members of the State House of Assembly and the local government council chairman.
If Governor Abba succeeds in taking the bulk of NNPP’s structure to APC, it’ll be a major symbolic blow to Kwankwaso’s influence. It seems Kwankwaso’s biggest fear is Abba taking the state with him, leaving him with a movement without a state.
Although no official statement has been issued by the governor’s office since reports of the planned defection emerged, the body language of prominent government officials suggests that the plan is already in motion and that it is only a matter of time. So far, only the Speaker of the State Assembly, Yusuf Falgore, has publicly endorsed the governor’s planned defection. Sources also indicate that a significant number of local government chairmen have joined the governor’s defection train.
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Blind Kwankwasiyya ideologues fail to distinguish between political betrayal and the pursuit of independence. Politics, after all, it is about survival and adaptation.
Most Kwankwasiyya members are youths. Where were they when Kwankwaso parted ways with Hamisu Musa, Musa Gwadabe, and Dauda Dangalan? Kwankwaso rose under mentorship before charting his own course. Where were they when Abubakar Rimi broke away from Aminu Kano in 1979-1980, pursuing his own path? When Abdullahi Ganduje split from Kwankwaso, he faced ridicule and insults.
These same critics should appreciate Abba Gida-Gida’s restraint in not publicly recounting the unpleasant experiences surrounding his emergence as governor under the NNPP.
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The Kwankwaso–Abba conflict is, at its core, politics in its truest form — a search for solutions and self-determination. There is a clear distinction between betrayal in politics, the pursuit of solutions, and the quest for independence from total submission.
If Governor Abba succeeds in taking the bulk of NNPP’s structure to APC, it’ll be a major symbolic blow to Kwankwaso’s influence. It seems Kwankwaso’s biggest fear is Abba taking the state with him, leaving him with a movement without a state.
The planned Abba defection from the NNPP to the APC could reshape Kano’s politics significantly – APC regains dominance in Kano, strengthening its position ahead of 2027 – NNPP’s national relevance takes a hit, struggling to recover from losing its only governor, Kwankwasiyya faces a tough test without state power, potentially losing influence. New alliances might emerge as Yusuf’s move triggers political recalibrations across the North.
Dukawa writes from Kano and can be reached at abbahydukawa@gmail.com
