Gov. Yusuf Resigns NNPP Membership as Kano Political Realignment Deepens.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu
Democracy Newsline
January 23, 2026.
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has formally resigned his membership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), citing deepening internal crises, unresolved leadership disputes, and persistent legal battles that have weakened the party’s cohesion and capacity to function effectively.
The development marks a major turning point in Kano State’s political landscape and signals a widening realignment that is expected to culminate in the Governor’s cross-carpeting to the All Progressives Congress (APC), alongside a significant bloc of elected office holders across the state.
- Advertisement -
The Governor’s resignation was contained in a statement issued on Friday and signed by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
According to the statement, Governor Yusuf conveyed his decision in a letter addressed to the Chairman of Diso-Chiranchi Ward, NNPP, Gwale Local Government Area, officially withdrawing his membership of the party with effect from Friday, January 23, 2026.
“I write with a deep sense of gratitude to formally notify the leadership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) of my decision to resign my membership of the party, with effect from Friday, 23rd January, 2026,” the letter read.
Governor Yusuf expressed appreciation to the NNPP for providing him with a political platform and support since his association with the party in 2022. However, he pointed to what he described as persistent internal crises and leadership disagreements that have continued to destabilize the party at both state and national levels.
“I remain sincerely appreciative of the opportunity given to me by the party, its leadership, and members across Kano State to be part of its political journey since 2022, as well as the support, goodwill, and cooperation extended to me during my time in the party,” he stated.
The Governor noted that prolonged factional struggles, parallel leadership claims, and unresolved court cases have severely undermined internal unity and created uncertainty within the NNPP.
“In recent times, the party has been confronted with persistent internal challenges arising from leadership disagreements and ongoing legal processes, many of which are presently before the courts for judicial determination,” he explained.
Leadership Disputes and Structural Weakness
Political observers note that the NNPP has, over the past year, been plagued by competing power centres, accusations of marginalization, and a breakdown of internal conflict-resolution mechanisms. These disputes have not only stalled party activities but also strained relationships between elected officials and the party hierarchy.
Governor Yusuf acknowledged that these disagreements had widened divisions and weakened cohesion within the party.
disenfranchisement among party members has created deep divisions within the party structure, resulting in cracks that appear increasingly irreconcilable and have generated uncertainty at both state and national levels,” he said.
The Governor stressed that his decision followed careful reflection and was guided strictly by the interest of Kano State and its people, rather than personal ambition.
“After careful reflection, and without prejudice to the party’s capacity to resolve its internal challenges, I have come to the conclusion that my resignation is in the best interest of the people of Kano State,” the letter stated.
He further emphasized that the move was taken in good faith and without bitterness, reaffirming his commitment to peace and development.
“This decision is taken in good faith, without any ill will, and with a continued commitment to peace, unity, and the progress of Kano State,” Governor Yusuf added.
In a dramatic escalation of the political shift, the Governor is resigning from the NNPP alongside 21 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives, and 44 Local Government Chairmen across the state.
The mass defection is widely seen as a strategic political realignment that significantly weakens the NNPP’s structure in Kano while strengthening the APC ahead of future electoral contests.
The resignation letter was formally acknowledged by the Secretary of the Diso-Chiranchi Ward, Hon. Kabiru Zubairu, who commended the Governor’s performance in office and admitted the existence of internal challenges within the party.
“I wish to concur with His Excellency on the lingering crisis in our party. Though we are trying our best to contain it, we have no option than to accept the resignation of one of the most performing Governors produced by the NNPP,” Zubairu said.
He praised Governor Yusuf’s achievements in infrastructure development, urban renewal, healthcare delivery, education reforms, and economic empowerment, describing his exit as a significant loss to the party.
Governor Yusuf’s resignation marks the end of a turbulent chapter in NNPP’s history in Kano State and opens a new phase in the state’s political dynamics. As consultations intensify ahead of his expected formal entry into the APC, analysts believe the move could reshape power alignments not only in Kano but across the North-West geopolitical zone.
For now, Kano watches as its political terrain undergoes one of the most consequential shifts since the return to democratic governance.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JANUARY 24TH 2026)
