Governor Yusuf’s Defection Gamble Faces APC Backlash: Will Ambition Cost Him the 2027 Ticket?
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s anticipated defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has hit a significant roadblock, POLITICS DIGEST reports.
Despite weeks of discreet negotiations, sources close to the talks reveal that APC leaders at both state and national levels have refused the governor’s demand for a written guarantee of an automatic gubernatorial ticket for the 2027 elections.
Insiders told POLITICS DIGEST that Governor Yusuf’s defection conditions go beyond a simple party switch. They reportedly include a formal assurance of the 2027 gubernatorial ticket, the prerogative to nominate a federal minister representing Kano State, and the authority to replace existing Kano-based federal appointees with his own loyalists.
However, the APC has maintained a firm stance, emphasizing that all candidates, regardless of their political stature, must participate in the party’s primary processes. A senior APC figure from the North-West, who spoke on condition of anonymity, likened the situation to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who pursued political advancements without seeking special concessions. “APC operates a uniform standard. No one, whether a governor or a minister, is exempt from the party’s democratic procedures,” the source said.
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The governor’s dilemma is further complicated by internal party rivalries. Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin is widely viewed as a strong contender for the 2027 Kano gubernatorial race, wielding considerable influence within the APC’s state structure.
In a move interpreted by observers as a strategy to manage political pressure at home, Governor Yusuf convened the first State Executive Council meeting of 2026 in Abuja on Friday. At the meeting, he was seen wearing his signature Kwankwasiyya red cap and prominently displaying the NNPP flag, signaling continued allegiance to his current party and frustrating expectations of an immediate defection announcement.
While affirming his administration’s commitment to good governance, the meeting highlighted emerging internal tensions. Reports indicate that Deputy Governor Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo intends to remain in the NNPP, a stance that could trigger a major executive conflict if Yusuf ultimately joins the APC.
Meanwhile, Yusuf’s political mentor and leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is reportedly considering alternative strategies. Having warned Yusuf against joining the APC, Kwankwaso is said to be exploring the creation of a “Third Force” coalition. Sources suggest he may align with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a platform attracting notable figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, ahead of the 2027 elections. Such a shift would mark a significant realignment in northern Nigerian politics, as the Kwankwasiyya movement seeks to retain relevance amid the potential departure of its sole sitting governor.
By PRNigeria
