Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has officially resigned from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), SaharaReporters has confirmed, in a move that appears to clear the path for his anticipated defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The resignation, submitted on Friday, extends beyond the governor himself. Alongside him, 21 State Assembly members, 8 House of Representatives lawmakers, and 44 Local Government Chairmen of Kano State also quit the party.
In a formal letter to the NNPP’s Diso-Chiranchi Ward Chairman in Gwale Local Government Area, Yusuf expressed gratitude to the party but cited persistent internal disputes and legal battles as reasons for his exit.
He described the growing disenfranchisement among party members as creating “deep divisions” that have become increasingly irreconcilable.
“After careful reflection… I have come to the conclusion that my resignation is in the best interest of the people of Kano State,” Yusuf wrote, emphasizing that his decision was taken “in good faith” and with continued commitment to the state’s progress.
Yusuf’s resignation comes in the wake of a high-profile visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he met President Bola Tinubu—a development that fueled speculation about ongoing political negotiations with the APC.
Observers note that Yusuf’s defection, initially expected in early January, was delayed over unresolved demands, including a written guarantee of an APC governorship ticket for 2027, the right to nominate a federal minister from Kano, and the authority to replace Kano-based federal appointees with loyalists.
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The governor’s actions have reportedly caused tensions within the APC, particularly with Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who is viewed as a key contender for the 2027 governorship race.
The political shift has drawn criticism from Rabiu Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement and former Kano State Governor.
Kwankwaso accused the state government of pressuring local officials to declare their political loyalties, a practice he described as “disturbing and unacceptable.”
With Yusuf’s departure from the NNPP confirmed, political analysts say Kano State is poised for a major realignment, intensifying an already volatile political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.