Kano Assembly Backs Gov. Yusuf’s Possible Exit from NNPP as Party Crisis Deepens

Kano Assembly Backs Gov. Yusuf’s Possible Exit from NNPP as Party Crisis Deepens

The Kano State House of Assembly has openly endorsed the possibility of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf defecting from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), citing persistent leadership disputes and multiple court cases threatening the party’s stability and the governor’s mandate.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, the Majority Leader of the House, Lawan Hussaini, said the internal crisis within the NNPP has reached a level where remaining on its platform poses serious political and legal risks to the governor and other elected officials in the state.

Hussaini explained that the party is currently divided by factional leadership battles and ongoing litigation, with court judgments recognising different factions—creating uncertainty over the legitimacy of the party’s structure and future nominations.

“There is an existing court judgment that recognises a particular faction of the NNPP,” Hussaini said. “We cannot continue to remain in the party and risk a repeat of the legal disaster that happened in Zamfara State.”

According to him, these concerns informed the Assembly’s decision to support calls urging Yusuf and the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to consider leaving the NNPP for what he described as a more politically stable platform, including the All Progressives Congress (APC).

READ ALSO:

• Rivers Political Tension Escalates as Assembly Labels Governor Fubara a Threat to Democracy
• Real Madrid Edge Atletico as Valverde Stunner Sets Up Super Cup Clasico Final
• Somalia Condemns Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland, Warns of Terror Threat

The Majority Leader disclosed that lawmakers were already consulting with both Yusuf and Kwankwaso to reach a common position on what he termed a “strategic and timely” departure from the party.

He warned that the continued leadership crisis and factional court cases could result in judicial rulings invalidating the party’s candidates, even after electoral victories—a situation that could cost the governor and other NNPP office holders their positions.

Hussaini drew parallels with the 2019 Zamfara State political crisis, where the Supreme Court nullified the APC’s victories due to invalid primaries, declaring the party had no valid candidates and awarding victory to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) despite its loss at the polls.

Meanwhile, reacting to the wave of defections and realignments, former Kano State governor and Kwankwasiyya leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, issued a stern warning to members leaving or planning to leave the movement.

Addressing supporters, Kwankwaso said defectors must account for the support and resources invested in them, alleging that political defections rarely occur without inducements.

“For someone to abandon his house and go elsewhere, it does not just happen without reason. These people, no doubt, have collected ‘goods’,” he said, cautioning supporters against being swayed by short-term gains.

Kwankwaso warned that many politicians who defected in the past later regretted their decisions, stressing that betrayal carries lasting personal and political consequences.

“Those who lost their way in the past—where are they today?” he asked. “Many who appear to be celebrating do not sleep well. Betrayal leaves a permanent mark.”

As consultations continue, the unfolding political manoeuvres signal a potential major realignment in Kano State politics, with implications for both the NNPP and opposition parties ahead of future elections.

Kano Assembly Backs Gov. Yusuf’s Possible Exit from NNPP as Party Crisis Deepens