Governor’s Move to APC Follows Resignation from NNPP, Signals New Political Alignment in Kano
In a significant political shift, Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, is set to rejoin the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday, January 26, 2026, after resigning from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). The announcement was made in a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Bature Tofa, confirming that Yusuf’s return to the APC is a strategic decision aimed at advancing governance and fostering national cohesion.
Governor Yusuf, who initially joined the APC in 2014, had previously contested for the Kano Central Senatorial seat under the party but later conceded his ticket to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. His decision to rejoin the APC is being seen as a response to the “prevailing realities of governance” and a desire to enhance cooperation with the Federal Government.
In his statement, Yusuf emphasized that the APC remains a “familiar and well-structured platform for progressive governance” and that his return would strengthen the party’s position in Kano, accelerating infrastructure development, improving security coordination, and enhancing service delivery.
Key developments include:
- Governor Yusuf will formally register as a member of APC alongside 22 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, 8 members of the House of Representatives, and all 44 Local Government Chairmen in the state.
- During the event, Yusuf will also launch the APC e-registration exercise in Kano State.
Yusuf’s re-entry into the APC follows his resignation from the NNPP, which he cited as being riddled with internal instability and leadership crises that had weakened the party’s cohesion. He expressed concern over the ongoing disputes within NNPP, which he believed distracted the party from fulfilling its responsibilities to the people of Kano.
Political Repercussions:
- The move has caused a stir within Kano’s political landscape, as it signals a major shift in the state’s power dynamics.
- Governor Yusuf’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, Sunusi Surajo, a key ally of Kwankwaso, has been sacked, further deepening the political tension. Surajo’s dismissal, coupled with the governor’s mass defection, is seen as an attempt to recalibrate Kano’s political alignment following Yusuf’s break from the NNPP.
- Notably, Deputy Governor Aminu Abdulssalam Gwarzo has opted to stay loyal to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, marking a clear division within the state cabinet.
Yusuf’s resignation from the NNPP and subsequent rejoining of the APC has prompted 44 local government chairmen, 22 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, and 8 federal legislators to publicly declare their support, signaling a major shift in the political allegiance of the state.
As the political landscape in Kano continues to evolve, all eyes are on the impact of Yusuf’s return to the APC, which could redefine the state’s future direction.
