Tension has escalated within the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) amid reports that Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, is considering defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The alleged move has sparked internal divisions in the party, setting supporters of the governor against loyalists of the Kwankwasiyya movement led by NNPP national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Reacting, the NNPP leadership at both state and national levels said it strongly opposes any defection to the APC.
“We are aware of the developments in Kano involving individuals planning to defect,” said Kano NNPP Chairman, Hon. Hashim Suleiman Dungurawa. “The state chapter, the national leadership, and our leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, do not support it.”
Dungurawa said the party had made repeated efforts to persuade those involved to remain in the NNPP, stressing that defection would be against the interest of Kano residents.
He appealed to the governor and others allegedly involved to reconsider, urging them not to join a party “rejected by the masses.”
The NNPP chairman also denied claims that party officials were working to pit Governor Yusuf against Kwankwaso, calling such allegations false and misleading.
He urged Kano residents to remain calm and warned party members against signing documents circulated by “mischief makers.”
Meanwhile, the Director-General of Media and Publicity, Sanusi Bature, acknowledged internal disagreements but declined to comment on the defection rumours.
“Yes, there are issues within the party,” Bature said. “However, we are handling them internally.”
The unfolding crisis is expected to reshape Kano’s political landscape as alignments ahead of future elections continue to evolve.
