•Yusuf and Tinubu
Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has pulled the plug on his New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) membership, a move that will significantly alter the political equation of the state.
It was gathered that Yusuf and his allies will be joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a ceremony in few days, having met with President Bola Tinubu at the presidential villa a few days ago.
In a statement by his spokesman Sunusi Bature, the Governor announced his resignation from yesterday, Friday, 23 January 2026.
Yusuf cited persistent internal crises and deepening divisions within the NNPP that have left it fractured and in court battles as reasons for dumping the party on whose platform he was elected in 2023.
His planned defection has also caused his relationship with benefactor Rabiu Kwankwaso frosty, reports The Nation.
The governor yesterday said his decision to defect followed a careful reflection, after being guided by public interest considerations.
He thanked NNPP for providing the platform and support for him since 2022 but said he was leaving in good faith, without bitterness and in the broader interest of the state.
“After careful reflection, and without prejudice to the party’s capacity to resolve its internal challenges, I have come to the conclusion that my resignation is in the best interest of the people of Kano State,” Yusuf.wrote.
He left the NNPP with 21 Assembly members, eighth House of Representatives members and 44 local government chairmen in Kano.
“I write with a deep sense of gratitude to formally notify the leadership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) of my decision to resign my membership of the party, with effect from Friday 23rd January 2026.
“In recent times, the party has been confronted with persistent internal challenges arising from leadership disagreements and ongoing legal processes, many of which are presently before the courts for judicial determination.
“The growing disenfranchisement among party members has created deep divisions within the party structure, resulting in cracks that appear increasingly irreconcilable and have generated uncertainty at both state and national levels,” Yusuf’s letter to the party reads in parts.
Hon. Kabiru Zubairu, the party’s secretary of Diso-Chiranchi Ward, where Yusuf comes from, acknowledged the governor’s resignation, praising his infrastructure, health, education, and economic projects.
The NNPP scribe admitted the party’s ongoing crisis, saying “we have no option but to accept the departure of our most performing governor.”
Yusuf’s resignation from NNPP yesterday is expected to trigger a major shake-up that could reshape Kano’s political landscape ahead of upcoming elections.
His resignation comes after the party gave him the greenlight to do so a few days ago.
NNPP factional chairman in the state, Senator Mas’ud Eljibril, had urged the Governor to formally notify the “legally recognised” NNPP in writing before he joins the APC.
“If the governor decides to leave the NNPP, it’s his choice but he has to do that according to the rules and regulations to the party. Ignoring this requirement will have future legal consequences,” Eljibril advised.
On Monday, the governor met with President Bola Tinubu.
