Kwankwaso, Kano Residents Feel Betrayed by Abba Yusuf’s Defection to APC – NNPP

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has said its national leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and many residents of Kano State feel betrayed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Governor Yusuf formally joined the ruling APC on Monday, following weeks of speculation and stalled negotiations over his planned exit from the NNPP. He said the decision was taken in the best interest of the people of Kano State.

Last Friday, Yusuf resigned from the NNPP, citing deepening internal crises and prolonged leadership disputes within the party as reasons for his departure.

His defection has widened the rift between him and his political mentor, Kwankwaso, and has reportedly led to the resignation of some cabinet members loyal to the former governor.

Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Monday night, NNPP spokesperson Ladipo Johnson said Kwankwaso and the people of Kano were deeply disappointed by the governor’s decision.

“Naturally, he feels betrayed. But this goes beyond Kwankwaso. The people of Kano endured eight years of what they described as bad governance and came out massively to give their mandate to the NNPP under Kwankwaso’s leadership,” Johnson said.

He noted that the NNPP had no established political structure in Kano before the election but still won largely due to Kwankwaso’s influence and support.

“We had no councillors, no chairmen, yet we won the state. The people stood by Abba Kabir Yusuf from the tribunal to the Court of Appeal and all the way to the Supreme Court,” he added.

Johnson argued that Yusuf’s decision to defect to the APC without consulting voters amounted to a breach of public trust.

“Without consulting the people, you hand power back to those who were voted out after eight years. That is an act of betrayal, no matter how you try to sugar-coat it,” he said.

He also dismissed claims that Yusuf could have won the governorship election without Kwankwaso’s backing.

“I am sure His Excellency, Abba Kabir Yusuf, would not stand anywhere in the world to make such a claim,” Johnson stated.

Also speaking on the programme, NNPP Public Relations Officer Ibrahim Karaye said the party was deeply hurt by the development but remained politically strong in Kano.

“We are devastated and feel betrayed, but NNPP remains resilient and is still the party to beat in Kano,” Karaye said, dismissing the governor’s claim that internal disputes forced his exit.