Political tensions in Kano State rose on Monday when Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the head of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf clashed about anticipated defections, prompting a surge in security outside the Government House.
There are compelling signs that Kwankwaso’s protégé Yusuf is getting ready to leave the NNPP and join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The move, which was previously anticipated to happen soon, was reportedly postponed until January 12 in order to give the governor more time to meet with legislators, particularly those in the state legislature.
Speaking on Saturday, the NNPP leader said the state had previously been saved from the governor and accused him of intending to “hand over Kano to former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.”
Ganduje was once the former governor’s ally, but the two fell out after power changed hands on May 29, 2015.
Responding to the development, the Kano State governor’s media adviser, Alhajiji Nagoda, told newsmen that Yusuf still holds Kwankwaso in high regard.
Nagoda, however, stated that the governor’s switch to the APC was now required and expressed optimism that Kwankwaso would eventually back it.
“We still respect and regard Kwankwaso as our political leader,” he said.
“As the Chief Security Officer in Kano, it is unfortunate that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf would give security directives, and the police would say they are waiting for directives from someone outside Kano,” he said.
Nagoda further recalled the lingering emirate crisis in the state.
“There was a time when the convoy of Kano Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II was passing through Nassarawa Palace, where the 15th Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero, is housed, and some miscreants stoned the convoy,” he said.
He said that such situations shouldn’t occur and that joining the APC may assist improve Kano people’ quality of life and restore stability.
“We are praying that he softens and leads the way to the APC,” Nagoda stated in response to Kwankwaso’s resistance to the action.
Meanwhile, there is disagreement within the APC over the potential defection.
AbdulMajid DanBilki Kwamanda, a well-known APC leader in Kano, charged that Kwankwaso and Yusuf had secretly planned the relocation.
In a video seen by DAILY POST, Kwamanda said, “Nothing but death will wedge in between Abba and Kwankwaso.”
He added, “Abba respects Kwankwaso to the core, and this is just a political game.”
According to him, “Kwankwaso is sending Abba to the APC to secure a second term, while his deputy, Comrade Aminu AbdulSalam, remains in the NNPP and will contest. So whoever wins Kano, it’s a win-win for Kwankwaso.”
Kwamanda further claimed that Ganduje was involved in the defection plan as part of a strategy to block Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin from contesting the 2027 elections.
The Kwankwasiyya movement has become divided as a result of the events; one group accuses Governor Yusuf of treason, while another backs his intention to join the APC.
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