In a major political shift, Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside 22 members of the Kano State House of Assembly and nine members of the House of Representatives. The defection, which took place at a political event held at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano on Monday, is poised to reshape the political dynamics in the state.
Strategic Move for Development and Unity
Governor Yusuf announced the decision after extensive consultations with key stakeholders and elected representatives across the state. In his address to party leaders, lawmakers, and supporters at the event, he revealed that 22 out of the 24 members of the Kano State House of Assembly and 9 out of the 14 members of the House of Representatives had collectively agreed to join the APC.
Yusuf explained that the move was driven by a shared commitment to strengthening governance and accelerating development in Kano State. “After wide consultation, we have concluded that joining the APC will allow us to work together for the betterment of our people,” he said. He added that the decision was not about partisanship but about choosing partnership over polarization. “Political parties are vehicles; the destination is to bring positive change to the people of Kano.”
A Historic Shift in Kano’s Political Landscape
The defection was attended by key figures within the APC, including former National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, Deputy President of the Senate Senator Barau Jibrin, and Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Abubakar Kabiru Bichi. Their presence underscored the significance of the development in Kano’s political trajectory.
Kano APC Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, described the mass defection as bold and historic, emphasizing the unity that the move would bring to the party. “This is a bold decision. APC members in Kano will remain loyal to Governor Abba Yusuf as he joins the party,” Abbas stated.
Support from APC Leaders and Lawmakers
Senator Barau Jibrin, the Deputy President of the Senate, also voiced his support for the governor, urging his supporters to rally behind the move. “I urge all my supporters to support Governor Abba Yusuf so that we can work together for the progress of Kano State,” Jibrin said.
Former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, welcomed Yusuf into the party, describing him as a “progressive politician” who deserved to be in the APC fold. Ganduje went further to declare, “Governor Abba Yusuf is the leader of the party in Kano State, and every member and leader of the APC is 100% behind him.”
The Political Impact
The defection of Governor Abba Yusuf, along with the majority of Kano’s state and federal lawmakers, is expected to significantly impact the state’s political landscape. This realignment will likely enhance the APC’s position in Kano, strengthening its control in both the state assembly and national legislature.
For Governor Yusuf, this move presents an opportunity to leverage APC’s resources and political capital to further his developmental agenda for Kano. The defection is likely to influence upcoming political contests in the region, with the APC now firmly positioned as the dominant political force in the state.
