Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has declared that the immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, cannot dictate to him on political matters in the state, insisting that he is now the party’s leader in Kano.
The governor made the remark while responding to criticisms trailing his defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the APC, maintaining that his decision was neither an act of betrayal nor politically misplaced.
Speaking during a meeting with his supporters, Yusuf said his exit from the NNPP was prompted by internal crises within the party, which he claimed could have negatively affected millions of people in Kano State if left unaddressed.
“I want to reaffirm that in breaking away from our former movement, we did not commit any wrongdoing. We raised concerns about the state of affairs in the party because we foresaw the crisis. We offered advice, but it was dismissed,” he said.
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According to him, the early decision to leave the party has helped restore calm in the state’s political environment.
Yusuf also dismissed allegations that he betrayed the Kwankwasiyya Movement, arguing that some members had earlier left the party without consulting others.
“They accuse us of betrayal, but were members informed before some people decided to leave the NNPP? Isn’t that also betrayal?” he queried.
On claims that he had aligned with Ganduje to relinquish political control, the governor insisted that his move to the APC represents progress rather than regression.
“Abba, who was alone in NNPP, is now among over 31 governors. Is that backwardness or progress?” he asked.
Yusuf emphasised that while he maintains mutual respect with Ganduje, he remains firmly in charge of the APC structure in Kano State.
“What exists between me and Ganduje is mutual respect. But he cannot give me instructions because I am the leader,” he said.
The governor reiterated that his political decisions are guided by the interest of the people, stressing that his administration remains focused on governance and stability in the state.