From NNPP to APC: Will Tinubu’s Intervention After Closed-Door Meeting Reshapes Gov. Yusuf’s Political Path?
Indications are mounting that Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, may soon defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) following a high-level, closed-door meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Sources familiar with the engagement told POLITICS DIGEST that the atmosphere within the governor’s camp turned markedly upbeat after the private discussions, with senior political actors describing the meeting as a turning point in weeks of uncertainty surrounding his political future.
Although no official statement was issued by either party, a top-ranking APC leader from the North-West disclosed that the president’s intervention has eased major concerns that had previously stalled the defection talks, particularly around the governor’s prospects ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
“The course is becoming clearer,” the source said. “The president has provided assurances that Governor Yusuf’s second-term ambition under the APC platform can be safeguarded, on the condition that internal political alignments in Kano are carefully managed.”
The source added that the governor was encouraged to address lingering apprehensions about the possibility of securing an automatic ticket in 2027—an issue that had remained a major sticking point during earlier negotiations.
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Despite the reported breakthrough, the presidency is said to have cautioned Governor Yusuf against relying solely on federal-level intervention. He has reportedly been advised to intensify consultations with key APC stakeholders in Kano to prevent internal rifts that could undermine any eventual realignment.
This warning comes amid ongoing tensions within the Kano APC, particularly involving loyalists of the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, and other influential party figures positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 political contest.
The renewed optimism within the governor’s circle contrasts sharply with the uncertainty reported days earlier, when APC leaders were said to be reluctant to offer firm guarantees regarding his future within the party.
Observers note that Governor Yusuf’s recent political signals—most notably his meeting with members of the Kano State Executive Council in Abuja while wearing the signature red cap associated with the Kwankwasiyya movement—may soon give way to a formal declaration.
Sources described the meeting with President Tinubu as the final stage of vetting before a possible public announcement that could significantly alter the political landscape of the North-West.
However, the role of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the governor’s political mentor and leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, remains a critical variable. As Governor Yusuf inches closer to the APC, questions persist about the future of their political alliance, especially amid reports that Kwankwaso is exploring the formation of a “third force” coalition, potentially in partnership with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
PRNigeria will continue to monitor developments in Kano and Abuja as political actors recalibrate and expectations rise over a possible formal defection.
By PRNigeria
