Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has formally defended his high-profile defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a seismic shift in the political landscape of Nigeria’s most populous northern state.
Yusuf, who was elected on the platform of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), cited the need for “national alignment” and the progress of Kano citizens as the primary drivers behind his return to the ruling party.
The move was solidified over the weekend as the Governor officially flagged off the APC’s electronic registration exercise in the state, signaling his total integration into the party’s machinery.
”Our decision to rejoin the APC is not about personal ambition, but about the collective interest of the people of Kano State,” Yusuf told a gathering of party supporters and officials. “To bring the full dividends of democracy to our doorstep, we must work in synergy with the government at the center.”
The Governor’s defection ends months of political speculation following a protracted legal battle over his election victory, which was eventually affirmed by the Supreme Court. His return to the APC is seen as a major blow to the NNPP and its national leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso, whose “Kwankwasiyya” movement has dominated Kano politics for years.
“We are entering a new era of digital politics”
Speaking at the launch of the e-registration portal, Yusuf urged his supporters to embrace the digital transition, describing it as a tool for transparency.
”We are entering a new era of digital politics. This e-registration ensures that every member’s voice is captured and that our party remains the largest and most organized in Africa,” the Governor added.
The APC national leadership has welcomed the move, viewing Kano as a critical prize ahead of future electoral cycles. Party insiders suggest that Yusuf’s defection was the result of months of back-channel negotiations aimed at stabilizing the North-West geopolitical zone.
”The Governor has come back home,” said a senior APC official present at the ceremony. “His administrative track record in Kano speaks for itself, and having him back in our fold strengthens the President’s agenda for a unified Nigeria.”
Critics, however, have characterized the move as “political opportunism,” suggesting it undermines the multi-party system. Despite the backlash from opposition quarters, Yusuf maintained that his priority remains governance.
”Politics is over; it is now time for development,” Yusuf stated. “By joining the APC, we are removing the barriers that often hinder state-federal collaboration.”
The electronic registration drive is expected to last several weeks, with the APC aiming to register millions of new members across Kano’s 44 local government areas in a bid to consolidate its hold on the state.
