Speculation Over Kano Gov’s Imminent Defection To APC Grows

The speculation over imminent defection of Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dominated public discourse in the past few days.

The governor, who was first elected in 2023, on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), is fighting to position himself for his re-election in 2027.

The NNPP is currently struggling with leadership crisis at the national level, with its candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Rabiu Kwankwaso having been suspended by a faction of the party.

Political event watchers posit that Kwankwaso, who is Governor Yusuf’s mentor and political godfather, may also defect to the ruling party after the governor must have defected.

Neither the governor nor Kwankwaso has commented on the growing speculation, with neither of them confirming or denying the speculation.

However, their close associates and some political interests in the Kano APC have remained upbeat about the high profile potential new entrants.

In a post on his Facebook page on Monday, an ex aide to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, stated that the governor’s defection to the APC would boost the strength of the ruling party ahead of the 2027 elections.

Bashir added that negotiations for the governor’s defection has reached an advanced level.

“Negotiations have reached advanced stage as Kano state governor, H.E. Abba K. Yusuf prepares a defection that will undeniably boost APC’s strength ahead of 2027 elections,” Ahmad stated.