Former Kano State Governor and leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has given his backing to the planned defection of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and other elected NNPP officials to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Kwankwaso made the announcement in a brief video that surfaced on Facebook on Tuesday and was later shared by his media aide, Saifullahi Hassan. The development has triggered widespread reactions and reshaped conversations across Kano’s political landscape.
The endorsement marks a significant shift in Kwankwaso’s earlier stance. Only recently, the former governor had openly opposed the move, accusing Governor Yusuf and other NNPP office holders of betraying the mandate freely given to them by the people of Kano State.
Explaining his change of position, Kwankwaso said his decision was guided by the need to allow party members freely exercise their political rights and to calm growing internal tensions within the NNPP in Kano. He noted that prolonging the disagreement could further weaken the party and destabilize the political atmosphere in the state.
Political observers believe the move is a calculated effort by Kwankwaso to manage an ongoing political realignment. Rather than resist the tide and risk losing relevance, analysts say he has chosen to adapt to the evolving dynamics and retain strategic influence in Kano’s fast-changing political space.
