Agency News
A massive security operation has taken over the Kano State Government House and its environs as Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf reportedly prepares to defect from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The atmosphere in Kano remained tense on Monday morning as a combined force of the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) established a rigorous security cordon.
While an official declaration is expected later today, high-ranking government sources confirm that the move is the result of weeks of high-stakes negotiations.
A member of the State Executive Council confirmed the timeline, stating, “The Governor is joining the APC today alongside his supporters.” The move, originally slated for January 5, was pushed back to ensure the alignment of National Assembly members and local stakeholders.
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The gravity of the event is underscored by the return of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the immediate past governor and former APC National Chairman, who arrived from Dubai on Saturday to oversee the transition. Alongside State APC Chairman Abdullahi Abbas, Ganduje has reportedly offered Governor Yusuf a seamless integration into the party structure.
The move marks a significant break between Governor Yusuf and his political mentor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement has reportedly opposed the move, insisting that Yusuf should vacate his seat if he leaves the party that brought him to power.
If the defection proceeds as planned, it is expected to trigger a domino effect, with all Local Government Chairmen and a majority of the Kano State House of Assembly members expected to follow the Governor into the APC. This would effectively collapse the NNPP’s control over the state.
Abubakar Siddiq Ibn Usman
