Kano governor joins APC two days after dumping NNPP

• Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has joined the APC after resigning from NNPP amid political realignment for the 2027 elections
• Political leaders expressed mixed reactions to Yusuf’s defection and highlighted themes of betrayal and expectation for governance
• However, the governor’s supporters celebrated Kano’s shift back to APC, emphasising alignment with President Tinubu’s vision for economic reform

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano has officially joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), barely three days after resigning his membership from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

The governor had dumped the NNPP on Friday, January 23, amid political alignment and realignment ahead of the 2027 general election. He cited an unending crisis within the NNPP and the need to align the state with the centre as his reason for dumping the party.

Governor Yusuf’s decision to join the APC has been criticised by some political stakeholders, including Rabiu Kwankwaso, the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate, who was instrumental in the emergence of the governor.

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Nigerians react as Governor Yusuf joins APC

The defection of the governor has started generating comments from Nigerians. Below are some of their reactions:

Hon. Nuhu Sada said the demand of the people does not change:

“Party labels may change, but the expectations of citizens do not. The people of Kano deserve consistent, transparent, and effective governance above all else.”

Khone accused the governor of betrayal:

“This is the height of political betrayal. The APC rigged him out in 2019 and almost did the same in 2023. He only managed to win through the resilience and support of Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya movement. Many supporters lost their lives just to make him governor. Even the king was deposed for supporting him. Yet today, he spits on the faces of those who made him. Abba Kabir Yusuf, you will shed political tears, insha’Allah.”

Masterpiece welcomed the governor to the APC:

“Very big congratulations to Governor Abba Yusuf Kabir as he finally rejoins the All Progressive Congress Of Nigeria (APC), the biggest and largest political party in Africa. The long-awaited day has finally come, and it’s now visible that Kano State is fully APC. Kano State has finally rejoined APC and has fully connected to the centralised vision of our dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on economic reform, diversifications and human empowerment.”

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Eddie said APC is the only active party in Nigeria:

“We must all agree now that the APC is the only active party in the country currently. We are 80% way to one party system.”

Usman Garba explains why he can’t join politics:

“I have something in me that can’t allow me to be a politician. I can’t be cheering with those whom I’m supposed to remove their jaw. This cringes a lot.”

Read more comments on the governor’s defection on X here:

APC chairman speaks on Governor Yusuf’s fate

Legit.ng earlier reported that the APC chairman in Kano, Abdullahi Abbas Sanusi, welcomed Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf into the party amid defection from NNPP.

Sanusi discloses that the party plans strategic discussions to ensure unity between new and existing APC members for the 2027 elections.

Governor Yusuf’s defection includes 73 officials, highlighting significant political realignments in Kano ahead of the next general elections.

Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng