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From Desmond Mgboh, Kano
There are strong indications that the Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, is set to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the coming weeks.
His departure would amount to not only dumping the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) but his political mentor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, with whom they have been together for the past 25 years.
A top aide to the governor, who sought anonymity, said last night that the defection rumour is actually true while adding that “certainly some of those in elective and appointive posts in the state may likely go with the governor”.
Insiders reasoned that the latest division within the party was sequel to disagreement between the governor and Kwankwaso on the best path to 2027.
It was gathered that while the governor sees the APC as the surest path to his second tenure, Kwankwaso, on the other hand, has a set of conditions which the APC and the Presidency appear not to be willing to consent to.
In the meantime, the Kano State Chapter of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has reacted to the speculation of defection by some party members.
A statement signed on Monday by the state chairman of the party, Hashim Suleiman Dungurawa, acknowledged the dispute within the party as it relates to individuals intending to defect to the APC.
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“I want to make it clear that the Kano State Chapter of the party, the national party, and our national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, together with other leaders, do not approve of what is happening,” he lamented.
“In fact, we did everything within our power to persuade them to be patient and not defect to the APC, because of our responsibility to them and our responsibility to the people of Kano; however, that has become difficult,” he further stated.
“Therefore, on behalf of all of us collectively, we once again appeal to them, for the sake of Allah and the Prophet, not to leave this party and not to defect to the party that we have opposed and which the masses and other voters have rejected,” he appealed to those planning to defect.
He expressed hope that the intended defectors would reverse their decision and remain in the party to help the poor and support the state in the areas of education, agriculture, commerce as provided for in the NNPP’s constitution.
He rejected the accusation that himself and some party leaders, particularly the Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, the Senator representing Kano Central, Rufai Hanga, and Sanusi Surajo were pitching the governor against Senator Musa Kwankwaso.
“We believe that the accusation is based on our good relationship and loyalty to the leader (Senator Kwankwaso),” adding that the accusation is untrue just as he challenged their accusers to come forth with any evidence to back their claims.
He tasked party members not to consent or inscribe their names to any document that is being circulated by mischief-makers while urging the people of the state and Nigerians to support Kwankwaso and NNPP to achieve success in 2027.
