The Digest:
NNPP leader Rabiu Kwankwaso has stated that Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf will regret his decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC). In a BBC Hausa interview, Kwankwaso described the governor’s exit from the party as shocking and confusing, dismissing speculation that it was pre-arranged. Governor Yusuf formally resigned from the NNPP on January 23 and joined the APC on January 26, 2026, less than three years after winning the governorship on the NNPP platform, a party deeply tied to Kwankwaso’s Kwankwasiyya movement.
Key Points:
- The defection could destabilize the NNPP’s structure and influence in Kano State, a key political stronghold.
- It may impact governance continuity and party-backed projects in Kano if internal rivalry affects administration focus.
- Kwankwaso’s movement stands to lose a sitting governor, weakening its bargaining power ahead of future elections.
- The move reflects deeper realignments within Nigeria’s opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
- Timing is significant as defections often reshape political loyalties and electoral strategies mid-term.
The long-term political fallout in Kano and its effect on NNPP’s cohesion will become clearer in the coming months.
Sources: Vanguard, BBC Hausa
