KANO — Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has broken his silence on the shocking defection of his son-in-law, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a candid emotional address to his supporters, Kwankwaso admitted that he is still struggling to process the move, which saw his protégé abandon the Kwankwasiyya movement to join the ruling party. “I still feel like it was all a dream,” Kwankwaso said, describing the sudden shift as a profound personal and political blow.
The ‘World Betrayal Day’
The defection, which occurred on January 23, 2026, has sent shockwaves through Kano’s political landscape. Kwankwaso has since labeled the date “World Betrayal Day,” accusing the Governor of abandoning the ideology that brought him to power.
Insiders suggest the rift was deepened by Governor Yusuf’s desire for political independence and his exhaustion with what some termed “overbearing” influence from the Kwankwasiyya leadership. The Governor was officially received into the APC by National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, Kwankwaso’s long-standing rival, further rubbing salt into the wound.
Political Aftermath
The exit of the Governor has triggered a massive realignment in the state. While Yusuf has moved into the APC fold to align with the federal government’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, Kwankwaso has pivoted toward a new alliance with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Despite the loss of the governorship seat to the APC, Kwankwaso maintained that the Kwankwasiyya movement remains “unshakable” and would continue to serve as a formidable opposition force. He urged his followers to remain calm and focused, asserting that “no single individual can kill a movement built on the people’s trust.”
Strategic Moves Ahead
Analysts believe this defection has effectively redrawn the map for the 2027 elections in Northern Nigeria. With Yusuf now in the APC and Kwankwaso exploring a “Third Force” with the ADC, the battle for the soul of Kano is expected to intensify in the coming months.
