Kwankwaso Opens Loyalty Register in Kano as Defection Rift with Yusuf Widens

Abba Kabir Yusuf, the governor of Kano State, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), are at odds over Yusuf’s plans to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Kwankwaso allegedly established a loyalty registry for political office holders to determine their devotion to his leadership in response to rumors that Yusuf was prepared to leave the NNPP for the APC.

Top government officials and party leaders attended the governor’s 63rd birthday celebration in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, at the time of Kwankwaso’s action.

While Yusuf celebrated the event in the Federal Capital Territory, Kwankwaso avoided the event and instead hosted what sources called “engagement meetings” with NNPP stakeholders, including Kwankwasiyya Movement supporters, at his Kano home.

The Nation was informed by sources that the two leaders’ actions and reactions had polarized the NNPP and split its National Assembly members.

According to reports, the governor has won the support of all 44 local government chairmen in the state as well as the 40-member Kano State House of Assembly, which is chaired by Speaker Jibril Isma’il Falgore.

On the suggested defection, NNPP federal MPs from Kano have not yet united.

Thirteen of Kano’s twenty-one members of the House of Representatives were chosen on the NNPP platform.

Umar Mukhtari Zakari (Tarauni), one of the NNPP representatives, has openly criticized the proposed defection.

However, Sani Abdullahi (Karaye/Rogo), Yusuf Rabiu (Sumaila/Takai), Abdulmumin Jibrin (Bebeji/Kiru), and Aliyu Sani Madaki (Dala) have already joined the APC.

Additionally, Sagir Ibrahim Koki (Kano Municipal) and Kabiru Usman (who won a rerun in Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya under the NNPP) defected to the ruling party.

The APC national leadership delayed the formal defection until January 12, even though it was originally planned for Monday.

The original plan called for Yusuf to be welcomed into the party by Vice-President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda.

According to party sources, the event was rescheduled to allow for additional meetings with Kano National Assembly members and other important players who have not yet given their complete support.

Yusuf has not yet obtained an APC membership card or legally registered at his ward, according to a close aide of the governor.

According to reports, the defection is a component of a larger political realignment intended to bolster Yusuf’s candidacy for the governorship ticket in advance of the 2027 elections and position him for a leadership position within the Kano APC.

It is believed that Kwankwaso, who has rejected the proposal, is thinking about switching to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in protest.

The Kwankwaso-led Kwankwasiyya organization would suffer a severe hit from Yusuf’s departure, according to sources, since the former governor had previously promised that no one would betray the organization and escape punishment.

Hashimu Dungurawa, a Kwankwaso loyalist, was removed from his position as the NNPP’s state chairman as a result of their disagreement.

Alhaji Abdullahi Zubairu Abiya was subsequently named acting state chairman by Yusuf.

Dungurawa’s suspension was maintained by a Kano State High Court, which also prohibited him from posing as chairman while the lawsuit was being decided.

The NNPP national secretariat, however, dismissed the modification as invalid and proceeded to permanently disband the party’s ward, local government, and state executives.

Yusuf’s defection is being viewed by the APC as a significant political advantage that could deprive the NNPP of its sole governorship seat and reduce its national significance.

According to party leaders, the action will strengthen the APC’s hold on Kano and improve its prospects for the national election in 2027.

The Kano APC power group, which is led by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has publicly stated that they are willing to collaborate with Yusuf.

Ganduje and Abdullahi Abbas, the state’s APC chairman, have encouraged the governor to feel free to become a member of the ruling party.

However, internal rivalry is predicted to be sparked by Yusuf’s planned entrance in the APC, especially over the 2027 governorship ticket.

Barau Jibrin’s own goal for the ticket may be weakened by the development, according to political observers, and it may also change Kano’s alliances, talks, and voter alignments.

While Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila (Kano South) moved to the APC last year and is no longer associated with the Kwankwasiyya leader, Senator Rufai Sani Hanga (Kano Central) is still in the NNPP with Kwankwaso, despite Barau’s continued public indifference.