A major political rift has erupted in Kano State following sharp remarks by former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau directed at the NNPP leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Shekarau asserted that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has a precedent to defect with his electoral mandate, citing Kwankwaso’s own move from the PDP to the APC while in office.
The comments come amid rising tension within the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and the Kwankwasiyya movement over strong indications that Governor Yusuf is finalizing plans to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In an interview with DCL Hausa, Shekarau responded to Kwankwaso’s recent statement that Yusuf should relinquish his mandate before defecting. Shekarau dismissed the position as inconsistent with Kwankwaso’s political history.
“I listened to my brother, Kwankwaso’s remarks. To me, Kwankwaso has either forgotten what happened in the past or he thought people have forgotten,” Shekarau said.
He recalled that Kwankwaso defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during his tenure as governor without vacating his office.
“When he was in PDP, he also left with the governorship seat to APC. Why didn’t he drop it for PDP? The way he took PDP’s seat to APC is likely the same way Abba will take the NNPP seat to APC,” Shekarau stated.
The former governor argued that if such an action is now considered a betrayal, then the precedent was established by Kwankwaso himself.
Shekarau also revisited the events leading to the formation of the NNPP in Kano, citing a broken power-sharing agreement as the reason for his own exit from the party.
He explained that after he and Kwankwaso left the APC for the NNPP, a committee was formed—chaired by the then-gubernatorial candidate Abba Yusuf—to draft a formula for sharing elective positions and appointments.
“Abba spent about three months without delivering the assignment. Suddenly, a list came out and there was no single person from our side except me,” Shekarau revealed.
Despite Kwankwaso raising concerns, the issue remained unresolved, prompting Shekarau and his supporters to form a 30-man committee that eventually recommended leaving the NNPP.
“I rejected the arrangement because I could not take a senatorial ticket alone while my people got nothing,” he said.
In a swift reaction, Kwankwaso has commenced a grassroots mobilisation drive across Kano State. Addressing support groups from various local governments on Monday, he urged his loyalists to strengthen the Kwankwasiyya movement at the ward level.
He alluded to those mocking him as a “dying politician” but assured his followers, “I want to assure them that they will see the work of the child soon when the time comes.”
Kwankwaso also disclosed that he had been approached by other political parties for alliances but questioned their capacity to offer him a leading position.
Meanwhile, reliable sources confirm that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is scheduled to formally defect to the APC on January 12, 2026. He is expected to meet with former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin before proceeding to his ward to register as an APC member.
Sources further indicate that the governor has secured the support of a majority of state assembly members and commissioners, smoothing the path for his transition.
The impending defection threatens to redraw Kano’s political landscape and could trigger a significant realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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