Salihu Tanko Yakasai, former aide to ex-Kano governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has said Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has already reshaped political dynamics in Kano and beyond. Speaking during a Trust TV interview, Yakasai argued that the impact of Kwankwaso’s move is immediate, not something that will unfold later.
According to him, the shift is evident in the sudden flurry of political meetings among key figures in Kano. He noted that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf convened sessions with former members of the House of Representatives soon after Kwankwaso’s defection. The governor later met serving lawmakers and senators, signaling a new urgency in political consultations. Yakasai stressed that such meetings had not been happening previously, and their emergence points to a changed atmosphere.
He explained that while disagreements among some politicians were rumored, dialogue helped resolve certain issues. The fact that these engagements are taking place, he said, shows the defection has unsettled the political establishment.
Yakasai added that the ripple effect extends beyond Kano. He claimed national leaders, including the president, are also concerned. He pointed to recent high-level meetings as evidence of unease. “I saw that the former national chairman had a meeting with the president, and I also learned that governors were involved in meetings as well,” he said.
The timing of these engagements, Yakasai argued, reveals attempts at damage control. He questioned why such one-on-one meetings, absent for a long time, are suddenly taking place. “The timing is what gives it away. It shows that they are trying to do some damage control,” he remarked.
He expressed skepticism about the ruling party’s ability to manage the situation effectively. “They are trying to control the damage, but unfortunately, I don’t see how they are going to succeed,” he said.
Kwankwaso’s defection to the ADC has introduced new uncertainty into Kano’s political landscape, a state long considered a stronghold of his influence. Analysts suggest that his move could alter alliances and voting patterns ahead of the 2027 elections. For Yakasai, the immediate reactions from both state and national actors confirm the significance of the development.
The unfolding scenario highlights how defections by prominent politicians can quickly reshape political calculations. In Kano, where Kwankwaso commands a loyal following, his shift to the ADC has forced both allies and rivals to reassess strategies. At the national level, the ruling party’s response suggests concern about the broader implications for its electoral prospects.
Whether the ADC can capitalize on Kwankwaso’s influence remains to be seen. But Yakasai’s remarks underscore that the defection has already disrupted the status quo, compelling political actors to engage in meetings and negotiations that had previously been absent.
