Fresh political crisis looms in Kano as Yusuf, Kwankwaso differ on defection

There have been strong indications that Yusuf, a protégé of Kwankwaso, is preparing to defect from NNPP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Reports said the move, earlier expected imminently, had been shifted to January 12 to allow the governor hold wider consultations, especially with lawmakers in the state assembly.

Kwankwaso, speaking on Saturday, accused the governor of planning to “hand over Kano to former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje”, claiming the state had earlier been rescued from him.

Ganduje was once Kwankwaso’s ally, but the two fell out after power changed hands on May 29, 2015.

Reacting, the Kano State governor’s media adviser, Alhajiji Nagoda, told SOCIETY WATCH that Yusuf still holds Kwankwaso in high regard.

“We still respect and regard Kwankwaso as our political leader,” he said.

However, Nagoda added that the governor’s move to APC was now necessary, expressing hope that Kwankwaso would eventually support it.

As the Chief Security Officer in Kano, it is unfortunate that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf would give security directives, and the police would say they are waiting for directives from someone outside Kano,” he said.

Nagoda also recalled the lingering emirate crisis in the state.

“There was a time when the convoy of Kano Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II was passing through Nassarawa Palace, where the 15th Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero, is housed, and some miscreants stoned the convoy,” he said.

According to him, such incidents should not happen, adding that joining APC could help restore stability and improve the well-being of Kano residents.

On Kwankwaso’s opposition to the move, Nagoda said, “We are praying that he softens and leads the way to the APC.”

Meanwhile, the proposed defection has divided opinion within APC itself.

A prominent APC figure in Kano, AbdulMajid DanBilki Kwamanda, accused both Yusuf and Kwankwaso of secretly planning the move together.

In a video seen by SOCIETY WATCH, Kwamanda said, “Nothing but death will wedge in between Abba and Kwankwaso.”

He added, “Abba respects Kwankwaso to the core, and this is just a political game.