Former Kano State governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has described the defection of Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a political betrayal.
It was reported that Governor Yusuf on Monday defected from the NNPP to the ruling APC, despite strong opposition and warnings from Kwankwaso, his former political ally and godfather.
The move has triggered a major political crisis in Kano State, with reports that some cabinet members loyal to Kwankwaso are considering resigning from Yusuf’s administration in protest.
Speaking to his supporters in a viral video message on Wednesday, Kwankwaso said the mandate won in Kano during the 2023 elections was the result of years of sacrifice and mobilisation by his political structure, the Kwankwasiyya movement.
He accused Governor Yusuf of handing over that mandate to what he described as a political rival, former APC National Chairman and ex-Kano governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.
According to Kwankwaso, the decision was not just a personal betrayal but an injustice to the people who voted for change.
“Handing over Kwankwasiyya’s hard-fought mandate to Ganduje and the APC is nothing short of political betrayal and a grave sin against the people,” he said.
Kwankwaso’s remarks further deepen the rift within Kano politics, as both camps brace for possible realignments and resignations in the days ahead.
