As reports of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s planned defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) circulate, loyalists of former Kano state governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso have reportedly distanced themselves from the embattled governor.
Governor Yusuf made his first public appearance in over a week at a graduation and empowerment ceremony for 2,260 beneficiaries of state-run institutes, including the Film, Poultry, Livestock, Driving, Fisheries, Horticulture, Informatics, and Development Journalism Institutes.
However, Daily Trust observed that notably absent from the event were key Kwankwaso loyalists, including the NNPP state chairman, Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, and Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Others absent were Commissioner for Science and Technology Yusuf Kofar Mata, Commissioner for Internal Security AVM Ibrahim Umar (rtd), and the Head of Service Abdullahi Musa.
The event was held at the Open Space Theatre, Government House, Kano.
In contrast, several commissioners, local government chairmen, lawmakers, and other political appointees aligned with Yusuf attended.
The governor avoided political statements during the ceremony, but tensions were visible as some groups stationed at the theatre entrance expressed anger over the unfolding political developments.
As reported by Daily Trust, one group leader warned: “Whoever among them comes here will live to remember what we will do to him. They dare not come here, betrayers.”
Meanwhile, Kwankwaso has intensified efforts to consolidate his grassroots base, receiving delegations from ward-level structures, youth organisations, and small but symbolic political groups who reaffirmed their loyalty to the Kwankwasiyya movement.
Sources indicate that while Kwankwaso maintains emotional loyalty among grassroots supporters, governor Yusuf has secured backing from most elected and appointed officials in the state, leveraging control of state machinery and resources.
Political observers suggest the unfolding realignment reflects a clash between grassroots loyalty to Kwankwaso and governance-driven alliances under Yusuf, particularly as the state positions itself ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While Kwankwaso emphasises the continuity of the movement’s populist ideology, Yusuf’s camp stresses the need for broader political alliances at the federal level to attract projects and funding to Kano.
