2026

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has said that it was Allah, not politicians or individuals, who made him governor, stressing that his loyalty remains firmly with Kano State above any person or political interest. The governor stated this on Saturday while presenting motorcycles to his social media handlers, amid controversies surrounding his reported defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). “In 2023, it was God who gave me power, not anybody else, and I still thank and appreciate Him as the ultimate decider of what happens next,” Yusuf said. He described discussions about the 2027 general elections as premature and a distraction from pressing governance challenges confronting the state, noting that the future remains solely in God’s hands. “No one has certainty of tomorrow, let alone 2027. We should allow the future to unfold. If we retain our positions, that is fine; if not, it is the will of Allah,” the governor stated. Yusuf said his immediate focus was ensuring peace, security, and stability across Kano State, adding that governance, rather than political calculations, remained his priority. Read Also: Why Gobirawa’s Centuries-Old Agrarian Life is at Risk in Kano Governor Yusuf Leaves NNPP, Says Decision Guided by Kano’s Interest Ganduje Marks Daughter’s Academic Milestone at King’s College London “We have to get it right by ensuring full peace and security before talking about anything else. That is my major concern now,” he said. The governor further stressed that Kano State must always come first, insisting that no individual was bigger than the state. “To me, Kano comes first, not loyalty to anybody. Everyone should know that no one is bigger than Kano; we must all remain loyal to Kano,” Yusuf declared. The development followed weeks of intense political speculation over the governor’s future, which eventually culminated on Friday when Governor Yusuf, through his spokesman, officially announced his decision to leave the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). The statement, released after prolonged defection rumours, confirmed the governor’s exit from the party, bringing to an end weeks of uncertainty surrounding his next political move. Also speaking at the event, a former Deputy Governor of Kano State, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, spoke on the origin of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, saying it was not created by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. “Myself and five others created the Kwankwasiyya Movement and even gave it the red cap symbol, not Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso,” Abubakar said. He explained that the movement was formed at a time when its founders were politically marginalised, noting that they collectively built its identity and structure. “Dr. Yunusa Adamu Dangwani, Engr. Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, myself, and others constructed the acronym of Kwankwasiyya when the going was tough and we were somewhat sidelined,” he said. Abubakar added that the group rallied round Kwankwaso during difficult political periods in Kano State. “At that time, we gave every support to Kwankwaso to survive the political tsunamis directed at him by political heavyweights in Kano, and that was how the movement was created,” he said. The former deputy governor criticised Kwankwaso for what he described as a failure to acknowledge the contributions of those who stood by him. “That behaviour drove all those loyal to him away, leaving him alone,” Abubakar said. He compared the situation with the leadership style of the late Mallam Aminu Kano. “We thought Kwankwaso would act like the late Mallam Aminu Kano, who always acknowledged that others created NEPU, PRP and the Sawaba Movement, giving them credit at every opportunity. Alas, that was not the case,” he added.

The National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has reacted to the reported defection of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and several political office holders, declaring that his political struggle is not driven by personal gain but by the pursuit of justice and better living conditions for ordinary Nigerians. Political tension heightened in Kano State following the resignation of Governor Yusuf alongside 44 local government council chairmen, members of the House of Representatives, and other political appointees, who are reportedly on their way to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking to party supporters at his residence in Kano shortly after the governor’s resignation, Kwankwaso said his decades-long political engagement has been centred on emancipating the masses from socio-economic challenges. “I am not for sale. Our political convictions keep me grounded. If I were in politics for personal gain, I would have taken the easy route, and you would be looking for me elsewhere, not here,” he said. Read Also: Ganduje Marks Daughter’s Academic Milestone at King’s College London Governor Yusuf Leaves NNPP, Says Decision Guided by Kano’s Interest Why Gobirawa’s Centuries-Old Agrarian Life is at Risk in Kano He added that commitment to shared ideals, rather than material incentives, has sustained the Kwankwasiyya Movement over the years. “Our shared vision is what keeps me going. If I were motivated by greed, I would have taken the money and walked away. And you would not be here today, standing firmly with us,” Kwankwaso stated. The former Kano State governor urged supporters of the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya Movement to remain resolute and intensify mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections. “We need people like you who have sacrificed and stood by the truth. You should not relent, because one day we will achieve our objectives,” he said. Kwankwaso also warned that recent political developments in Kano should serve as a wake-up call for the movement. “Going by what is happening in Kano today, we must begin to prepare seriously. There are people who are determined to destroy what we have built over time,” he cautioned. Reaffirming his stance, Kwankwaso assured supporters that he would not compromise his principles, stressing that his mission remains the defence of the common people. “My mission has always been to fight for the ordinary people. I will not compromise with those who exploit the masses,” he reiterated.

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has formally resigned his membership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), citing deepening internal crises and the need to protect the broader interests of the people of Kano State. This was conveyed in a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Friday. According to the statement, the governor communicated his decision in a letter addressed to the Chairman of Diso-Chiranchi Ward of the NNPP in Gwale Local Government Area, informing the party of his withdrawal from its membership with effect from Friday, January 23, 2026. “I write with a deep sense of gratitude to formally notify the leadership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) of my decision to resign my membership of the party,” the governor stated in the letter. Governor Yusuf expressed appreciation to the NNPP for providing him with a political platform and support during his engagement with the party. Read Also: Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf and Hon. Murtala Sule Garo: A Well‑Matched Pair of Walking Shoes Hon. Murtala Garo: Gov. Abba’s Political Masterstroke Dr. Ganduje’s Political School and the Rise of Dr. Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure at 48 “I remain sincerely appreciative of the opportunity given to me by the party, its leadership, and members across Kano State to be part of its political journey since 2022, as well as the support, goodwill, and cooperation extended to me during my time in the party,” he said. The governor attributed his decision to persistent internal disputes and ongoing legal battles that have continued to destabilise the party at both state and national levels. “In recent times, the party has been confronted with persistent internal challenges arising from leadership disagreements and ongoing legal processes, many of which are presently before the courts for judicial determination,” he noted. He added that the unresolved crises had widened divisions within the party and weakened its cohesion. “The growing disenfranchisement among party members has created deep divisions within the party structure, resulting in cracks that appear increasingly irreconcilable and have generated uncertainty at both state and national levels,” the statement read. Governor Yusuf said his resignation followed careful reflection and was guided solely by considerations of public interest. “After careful reflection, and without prejudice to the party’s capacity to resolve its internal challenges, I have come to the conclusion that my resignation is in the best interest of the people of Kano State,” he said. He stressed that the decision was taken in good faith and without bitterness, reaffirming his commitment to peace, unity, and the progress of Kano State. The statement further disclosed that the governor’s resignation was accompanied by that of 21 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives, and all the 44 local government chairmen in the state. The resignation letter was acknowledged by the Secretary of Diso-Chiranchi Ward, Hon. Kabiru Zubairu, who commended the governor for what he described as laudable achievements in infrastructure development, urban renewal, healthcare, education, and economic empowerment. “I concur with His Excellency on the lingering crisis in our party. Though efforts are ongoing to manage the situation, we have no option but to accept the resignation of one of the most performing governors produced by the NNPP,” Zubairu said.