By SUNTV Global Channel
Updated: January 26, 2026
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has accused Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, of betraying the party and its national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, following his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The NNPP National Spokesperson, Mr. Ladipo Johnson, made the allegation on Monday while speaking on *Channels Television’s Politics Today*, describing Yusuf’s move as a violation of the trust reposed in him by the people of Kano State.
Governor Yusuf, long regarded as Kwankwaso’s political protégé, rose to power through the highly organised Kwankwasiyya movement, noted for its deep grassroots structure and red-cap symbolism.
A Betrayal of the People’
Responding to questions on whether Senator Kwankwaso felt personally betrayed, Johnson said the sense of betrayal went far beyond the party leader.
“Naturally, he feels betrayed. But this is not just about him. The people of Kano endured eight years of what they called bad governance and came out massively to give NNPP a mandate through Kwankwaso’s leadership,” Johnson said.
He stressed that the NNPP had no established political structure in Kano prior to the 2023 elections, yet still emerged victorious.
“We had no councillor, no local government chairman, 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 the electorate amounted to a serious breach of public trust.
“Without consulting the people, you return power to those who were voted out after eight years. That is betrayal, no matter how it is sugar-coated,” he said.
Yusuf Couldn’t Have Won Without Kwankwaso’
Addressing claims that Governor Yusuf could have become governor without Kwankwaso’s backing, the NNPP spokesman dismissed the narrative.
“It is easy to say that now. They are enjoying their five minutes. I am certain His Excellency would not stand anywhere in the world to make that claim,” Johnson stated.
Party ‘Devastated’ but Still Strong
Also speaking on the programme, NNPP Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Karaye, said the party was deeply hurt by the governor’s defection but remained politically formidable in Kano State.
“We are devastated. We feel betrayed and unhappy with this development. But NNPP remains strong and is still the party to beat in Kano,” Karaye said.
He alleged that senior party stakeholders were aware of Yusuf’s plan to defect but were sidelined, dismissing claims that internal crises within the NNPP prompted the move.
According to Karaye, party leaders were denied access to the governor and shut out of key decision-making processes.
“The governor closed his doors. There was no access to him,” he alleged.
Yusuf Defects with Lawmakers
Governor Yusuf officially defected to the APC on Monday alongside 22 members of the Kano State House of Assembly and nine members of the House of Representatives.
The announcement was made at a political gathering held at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano, attended by top APC leaders.
Explaining his decision, Yusuf said the defection followed extensive consultations across the state and was aimed at strengthening governance and fast-tracking development.
“We are choosing partnership over polarisation. Political parties are vehicles; the destination is positive change for the people of Kano. Judge this decision by our performance,” the governor said.
Prominent APC figures at the event included former APC National Chairman and ex-Kano Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje; Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin; and Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Hon. Abubakar Kabiru Bichi.
From Protégé to Political Split
Governor Yusuf’s political rise was closely tied to Senator Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya movement, whose backing was widely credited for his victory in the 2023 governorship election, where he polled 1,019,602 votes to defeat the APC candidate.
While Yusuf remained loyal to Kwankwaso during prolonged legal battles over his mandate, mounting pressure to assert independence as a sitting governor eventually strained their relationship, culminating in their political split in January 2026.
