Barring any last-minute change of plans, the Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, is expected to defect from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the first week of January 2026, multiple political sources have disclosed.
The anticipated defection, if it materialises, would mark a dramatic turning point in Kano politics, effectively ending nearly four decades of political association between Governor Yusuf and his longtime mentor and political benefactor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Governor Yusuf rose through the political ranks under Kwankwaso’s leadership and is widely regarded as a core product of the influential Kwankwasiyya political movement, which has dominated Kano’s political landscape for years. His possible exit from the NNPP therefore signals a major realignment that could reshape power structures in the state.
NNPP Faces Possible Political Extinction
As the only sitting governor elected on the NNPP platform, Yusuf’s defection would leave the party without control of any state government nationwide. Analysts say this could effectively remove the NNPP from the list of politically dominant parties in Nigeria, reducing its relevance ahead of future electoral contests.
Political observers note that the NNPP has struggled with internal cohesion and national expansion since the 2023 general elections, factors believed to have contributed to the governor’s reported decision.
APC Congresses Central to Strategy
Sources familiar with the development say Governor Yusuf has carefully timed his planned defection to precede the APC’s scheduled ward, local government, and state congresses in February 2026.
By joining the party ahead of the congresses, the governor is said to be positioning himself to play a decisive role in shaping the APC’s leadership structure in Kano State, potentially allowing him to consolidate control of the party machinery ahead of future elections.
“This is a strategic move,” a party insider said. “Joining before the congresses gives him leverage and bargaining power within the APC.”
Silence from Key Actors
As of the time of filing this report, neither Governor Yusuf nor Senator Kwankwaso has made an official statement confirming or denying the planned defection. The leadership of both the NNPP and the APC have also remained tight-lipped.
However, political activity around the Kano Government House and within APC circles in the state has intensified in recent weeks, further fueling speculation.
If confirmed, Governor Yusuf’s defection would rank among the most significant political shifts in Kano State in recent history, with far-reaching implications for party politics both within the state and at the national level.
