By SUNTV Global Channel
January 26, 2026
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has formally rejoined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a major political realignment in the state and effectively ending his association with the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
The governor was received on Monday at the Kano Government House by senior APC figures, led by former APC National Chairman and ex-Kano governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Also present were the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin; Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata; and other key party stakeholders from across Kano State.
The high-profile reception officially confirmed Yusuf’s return to the APC, coming just days after he resigned from the NNPP amid deepening internal crises that have rocked the party at both state and national levels.
SUNTV Global Channel reports that Yusuf’s defection follows a wave of political movements within Kano. Earlier, 21 members of the Kano State House of Assembly announced their defection from the NNPP to the APC, a development widely seen as a precursor to the governor’s decision.
In a resignation letter dated January 25, 2026, and addressed to the Chairman of the NNPP Diso–Chiranchi Ward in Gwale Local Government Area, Yusuf cited persistent leadership disputes, internal divisions, and ongoing legal battles as key reasons for his exit from the party.
According to the letter, the governor expressed gratitude to the NNPP for the opportunity to serve under its platform since 2022 but noted that growing disenfranchisement among members had created “cracks that appear increasingly irreconcilable,” leading to uncertainty within the party.
He emphasized that his decision was taken in good faith and in the overall interest of the people of Kano State, reaffirming his commitment to peace, unity, and development.
Further reports indicate that Yusuf’s resignation from the NNPP was accompanied by the defection of 21 state lawmakers, eight members of the House of Representatives, and 44 local government chairmen across Kano State, signaling a sweeping political realignment.
The development comes after a series of high-level visits by the governor to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he held meetings with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. These visits had earlier fuelled speculation about intense political negotiations ahead of his defection.
Just last week, Yusuf was again sighted at Aso Rock, dressed in his trademark white babanriga and red Kwankwasiyya cap, as he made his way to the President’s office—an appearance that now appears to have sealed his return to the APC.
With this move, Kano’s political landscape has entered a new phase, as analysts predict significant implications for party strength and alignments ahead of future elections.
