Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), with the party’s immediate past National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, announcing that the governor has been granted an automatic ticket for the 2027 governorship election.
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Yusuf announced his decision on Monday at an event held at the Coronation Hall of the Kano State Government House, citing the need to foster unity, stability and fast-track development across the state.
Ganduje, who announced the automatic ticket during the governor’s formal defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the APC, declared that the candidate who contested for the governorship seat in 2023 and his running mate, as well as others who showed interest for the governorship seat, have resolved to step down and support the governor ahead of the 2027 elections.
“We are happy to receive the governor of Kano and his followers into our fold, APC. There is no crisis in the APC in Kano State. We have discussed with our 2023 governorship candidate and his running mate, and they are happy to receive you into APC. They assured me that they withdraw for you. Similarly, those who showed interest have also assured me that they have stepped down for you. And may God see you through,” Ganduje stated.
The former two-term governor also declared that with the defection of Governor Yusuf into the party, he automatically assumes the position of the party leader in the state.
“In APC, we have our arrangement. And that arrangement is that whoever is the governor automatically assumed the position of the party leader in the state. In APC, all serving governors are leaders of the party in their respective states. Therefore, you are the leader of the APC in Kano State,” Ganduje said.
“APC is a party that has respect for the people. We have elders who are united. And I want to assure you that we will be victorious.”
Ganduje gave strong assurances of victory in the 2027 governorship election, declaring that the party would fully back Yusuf for a second term.
“You will win your second term in 2027. We have spoken to all aspirants and they have agreed to support you,” Ganduje said.
He noted that Yusuf’s return marked a homecoming, recalling that the governor was part of the APC at its formative stage before leaving due to political differences and realignments.
“This is a memorable and historic occasion. Your Excellency, you are welcome back home to the APC. When the party was formed, you were with us, but later political differences and misconceptions led you away. Now you are back,” he stated.
The former Kano governor described Yusuf as a progressive politician whose leadership style and disposition align with the ideology of the APC.
“We know you as a progressive politician from your perception, utterances and disposition. APC is perfect with you,” Ganduje said.
He also assured the governor of equal treatment within the party and expressed confidence that the APC would record sweeping victories in future elections.
“As you are coming in, we assure you that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will also win the 2027 election. APC will stand solidly with you,” he added.
Governor Yusuf said his defection was driven by the need to foster unity, stability and fast-track development across the state.
The governor had resigned from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) on Friday, blaming deepening internal crises and prolonged leadership disputes within the party for his exit.
According to him, his foremost priority remains the delivery of good governance and the dividends of democracy to Kano residents.
Yusuf’s defection comes alongside a mass movement of elected officials. Twenty-two members of the Kano State House of Assembly defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party to the All Progressives Congress.
The lawmakers announced their defection during a plenary session on Monday, shortly after Governor Yusuf formally resigned from the NNPP.
Among the defectors are the Speaker of the House, Jibril Falgore (Rogo), and the Deputy Speaker, Muhammad Bello Butu Butu (Tofa/Rimin Gado).
Also leaving the NNPP are the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussain (Dala); the Deputy Majority Leader, Garba Shehu Fammar (Kibiya); and the Chief Whip, Muddasir Ibrahim Zawachiki (Kumbotso).
A video of the event captured the formal proceedings in the assembly chamber, where Speaker Falgore called each member to speak and publicly announce their defection.
Announcing his defection, Rep. Rabiu Shuaibu (Dawakin Kudu) said, “I, Shuaibu Rabiu, representing Dawakin Kudu, resign my membership of the NNPP to the APC with immediate effect from today (Monday).”
Another lawmaker, Tukur Mohammed (Fagge), said, “Mr Speaker, I am here to confirm I am resigning my membership of the NNPP and joining the APC.”
Other lawmakers who joined the APC include Zakariyya Abdullahi Nuhu (Gabasawa), Lawal Tini (Ajingi), Musa Tahir Haruna (Albasu), Ali Lawan Alhassan (Bagwai/Shanono), Ali Muhammad Tiga (Bebeji), and Hafiz Gambo (Bunkure).
The list also includes Murtala Muhammad Kadage (Garko), Abdulmajid Isah Umar (Gwale), Ahmad Ibrahim (Karaye), Alhassan Zakari (Kura/Garun Malam), Suleiman Mukhtar Ishaq (Madobi), Abdulhamid Abdul (Minjibir), Muhammad Ibrahim (Rano), Kabiru Sule Dahiru (Tarauni), and Ali Abdullahi Manager (Wudil).
In addition to the state lawmakers, eight members of the House of Representatives and all 44 local government chairmen in Kano State also defected alongside the governor.
In a related development, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, son of 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, resigned his appointment as Kano State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development.
Kwankwaso announced his resignation as a member of the State Executive Council in a statement posted on his official Facebook account on Monday.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce my resignation as Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and member of the Kano State Executive Council,” the statement read.
He thanked Governor Yusuf for the opportunity to serve, noting that his time in office provided him with valuable experiences and lessons.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for the opportunity to serve the great people of Kano State. I have cherished the experiences and lessons gained while serving, and I appreciate the trust placed in me,” he said.
Kwankwaso expressed hope that the youth and sports sectors would continue to receive adequate attention under the present administration.
“As I resign, I pray that the youth of Kano State will continue to receive the attention and support they deserve. I hope for the best for our sports development programmes and initiatives, and I am confident that they will flourish in the years to come,” he added.
The resignation comes amid ongoing political realignments within the Kano State Government following Governor Yusuf’s recent exit from the NNPP.
Several prominent APC figures were present at the defection event, including former national chairman of the party, Abdullahi Ganduje; Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; and Kawu Sumaila.
Members of the Kano State Executive Council, party stakeholders and other government officials also attended.
Reacting to Governor Yusuf’s defection, the national leader of the NNPP, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had earlier described the development as a betrayal and declared January 23 as “World Betrayal Day”.
Kwankwaso played a key role in Yusuf’s emergence as Kano State governor in the 2023 election through the Kwankwasiyya political movement.
The mass defection represents a significant political realignment in Kano State and a major blow to the NNPP, which has lost its only state governor along with a substantial number of elected officials.
For the APC, the development consolidates its control in one of Nigeria’s most politically significant states and strengthens the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
The automatic ticket granted to Governor Yusuf and the stepping down of the 2023 APC governorship candidate demonstrate the party’s strategic decision to avoid internal conflicts and present a united front in Kano State.
The resignation of Senator Kwankwaso’s son as commissioner underscores the personal and political dimensions of the crisis, as loyalists of the NNPP leader choose to exit the government rather than remain under a governor who has defected to the opposition.
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