Kano Political Earthquake: Governor Abba Yusuf Resigns from NNPP Amid Crisis
Kano State politics has been thrown into a state of flux as Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf officially resigned his membership from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). The move, announced by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Friday, January 23, 2026, marks the end of an era for the party that dominated the state in the 2023 elections.
The resignation, effective immediately, has triggered a massive political realignment, with reports indicating that 21 State Assembly members, 8 House of Representatives members, and all 44 Local Government chairmen are following the Governor out of the party.
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State
The Breaking Point: Leadership Disputes and Legal Battles
Governor Yusuf cited “persistent internal challenges” and a “deepening division” within the NNPP as the primary drivers for his exit. In a letter addressed to the Chairman of Diso-Chiranchi Ward, the Governor noted:
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Irreconcilable Cracks: Ongoing leadership disagreements and legal battles currently before the courts have weakened the party’s unity.
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Public Interest over Party: Yusuf emphasized that his decision was guided by the need to protect the interests of the people of Kano, rather than personal bitterness.
Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso
Kwankwaso Responds: “Betrayal Never Pays”
The exit marks a significant rift between Governor Yusuf and his political mentor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement. Shortly after the news broke, Kwankwaso met with loyalist groups at his Miller Road residence, urging them to remain steadfast in their ideology.
“If we had allowed greed to guide us, we would have been bought with money long ago,” Kwankwaso told his supporters, having previously warned that “betrayal never pays.”
The “APC” Speculation: Is a New Alliance Forming?
While the Governor has yet to announce his next move, speculation is at an all-time high following his recent closed-door meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Political observers suggest that a defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is imminent, a move that would fundamentally shift the power balance in Northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As security tightens around the Kano Government House, the nation watches to see how the “red cap” movement adapts to its biggest challenge since its inception.
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