The Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, is expected to formally defect from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday.
According to a report by DAILY Nigerian, Yusuf, who is currently the only sitting governor elected on the NNPP platform, has arrived in Abuja ahead of the planned defection, where final arrangements are being concluded.
Sources with knowledge of the development told DAILY NIGERIAN that the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, alongside the APC’s national chairman, Yitwalda Nentawe, will receive the governor in Abuja.
In Kano, preparations are already underway within the APC. The party’s leader in the state, Abdullahi Ganduje, has reportedly been recalled from a trip to Dubai. Similarly, the APC state chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, was asked to cut short his lesser hajj in order to formally issue the party’s membership card to Mr Yusuf at his Diso Ward in Gwale Local Government Area later this week.
The governor is also expected to meet with Mr Ganduje within the week as both leaders discuss strategies for strengthening the party’s fortunes in Kano State.
It was gathered that President Bola Tinubu was initially hesitant to accept the governor into the APC without the involvement of his political godfather, who enjoys a strong following in Kano and parts of the North.
“The president initially insisted that he would not accept the governor’s defection without Kwankwaso. And after efforts to persuade Kwankwaso failed, Governor Hope Uzodinma convinced the president to accept the governor’s defection,” a source said.
Meanwhile, acting on the governor’s directive, local government caucuses across Kano State reportedly made a final push to persuade him to align with the APC. The groups openly declared their support for the governor and urged him to lead them into the ruling party.
However, Mr Yusuf’s sudden fallout with his longtime political mentor and benefactor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has sparked backlash within the Kwankwasiyya movement. Several loyalists have openly criticised the governor while reaffirming their allegiance to Mr Kwankwaso.
(DAILY NIGERIAN)
