2027 Politics: Is Gov. Abba of Kano Poised to Join APC Against Kwankwaso’s Wishes?
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu
December 29, 2025.
Bureau Chief, North-West.
As political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections intensify, strong indications have emerged that Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, may be on the brink of a dramatic defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)—a move that appears to have deepened a quiet but consequential rift with his long-time political mentor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Investigations by The Democracy Newsline reveal that Governor Yusuf has, in recent weeks, concluded extensive consultations with a select circle of trusted political allies, traditional stakeholders, and Abuja-based power brokers. Multiple sources familiar with the discussions say the governor has largely made up his mind and could formally announce his defection in the coming days, pending final assurances from key APC figures at the national level.
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At the heart of the unfolding drama is the once formidable political alliance between Abba Kabir Yusuf and Kwankwaso, the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement and NNPP’s 2023 presidential candidate. Sources close to the governor disclosed that Yusuf had, over several months, persistently urged Kwankwaso to join him in a collective move to the APC, arguing that alignment with the ruling party would better secure Kano’s political and economic interests ahead of 2027.
“Kwankwaso was unequivocal,” a senior NNPP insider told this reporter. “He believes abandoning the NNPP now would amount to betraying the movement he built and the millions of supporters who rallied behind it in 2023.”
Despite repeated attempts, Governor Yusuf was unable to secure Kwankwaso’s blessing for the defection, a development that has now set both men on diverging political paths.
A member of the Kano State House of Assembly, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, confirmed that the governor has already briefed some lawmakers on his intention to defect.
“The governor has held meetings with selected members of the House and informed them of his plans,” the lawmaker said. “There is a strong feeling that the Speaker may soon issue a statement assuring the governor of the Assembly’s support, regardless of the political platform he chooses, so long as it is in the interest of Kano State.”
According to the source, the move has triggered parallel mobilization by Kwankwaso loyalists within the Assembly and across the state. These loyalists are said to be preparing a counter-statement reaffirming their allegiance to Kwankwaso and their commitment to the NNPP.
“Within a week, the political direction of the state will become much clearer,” the lawmaker added. “The governor appears determined, even in the face of resistance from his political godfather.”
APC Calculations and Internal Dynamics
Kwankwaso is believed to be deeply skeptical of the governor’s reported defection, particularly in light of the growing ambitions within the APC itself. The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, has already signaled early interest in the Kano governorship race, a factor that complicates any APC accommodation of Governor Yusuf.
Observers note that Kwankwaso is unlikely to support any political arrangement that strengthens factions aligned with former APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, with whom he has a long-standing rivalry. This internal APC complexity may partly explain why the party’s leadership in Kano has maintained a conspicuous silence, choosing to remain calm and measured as events unfold.
From Rumour to Reality?
It will be recalled that earlier speculations suggested that both Kwankwaso and Governor Yusuf were planning to defect to the APC. While Yusuf remained silent at the time, Kwankwaso publicly dismissed the reports, describing them as baseless and mischievous.
In recent months, Kwankwaso’s sharp criticisms of the APC—both at rallies and in media engagements—have further reinforced the belief among political observers that he has no intention of joining the ruling party, regardless of shifting alliances.
Silence from Both Camps
Efforts to obtain official reactions from the spokespersons of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso were unsuccessful. Repeated calls and text messages sent to both camps were not returned as of the time of filing this report.
As Kano watches closely, one thing is clear: if Governor Yusuf ultimately defects to the APC without Kwankwaso, it would mark one of the most significant political realignments in the state’s recent history—reshaping loyalties, redrawing battle lines, and setting the stage for a fiercely contested road to 2027.
(Democracy Newsline Newspaper, December 29TH 2025)
