•Rabiu Kwankwaso
Leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has boasted he will laugh at last in the ensuing defection crisis between him and Kano Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Yusuf, who was elected on the platform of Kwankwaso’s NNPP, has decided to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), reports The Nation.
But Kwankwaso, a former governor of the state, has disapproved of the move, insisting that the governor should relinquish his position if he must defect.
The disagreement between the two gladiators has polarised the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya Movement – the umbrella body of all NNPP members in the country.
As the crack deepens in the NNPP, Kwankwaso, in a viral video, called on his loyalists to engage in massive mobilisation of people from all nooks and crannies of Kano State to join the Movement.
Kwankwaso, who has reportedly opened a loyalty register, stated this while addressing visiting support groups from various local government areas still loyal to the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
While urging supporters to go back to the grassroots and mobilise people, Kwankwaso noted: “This is the most important thing before you as some people are defecting.”
Kwankwaso, who is being speculated to be interested in joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC), lamented that some people were mocking him and calling him a dying politician, citing the current gale of defections.
He however, assured his followers that he would laugh at last.
He said: “As leaders and representatives of the people, when you go back home, ensure you meet with our supporters and let them know what is before us.
“I have heard some people mocking at me, calling me a child in politics. I want to assure them that they will see the work of the child soon when the time comes.
“We have so far received about 21 organisations from across the state and there are others that are going to join us soon. Therefore, you go back home and receive them.”
Governor Yusuf, who insists defection is his political right based on consultation with the electorate and party stakeholders, returned to the state after his birthday celebration in Abuja, to formally register and obtain his APC membership card.
Before then, Yusuf will meet with the power bloc of the Kano chapter of the party, led by immediate past Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, it was learnt.
Already, Ganduje has sent an official invite to Yusuf, assuring him of maximum cooperation.
January 12 has been fixed for the defection ceremony – a strategic decision expected to strengthen the APC’s position while weakening the NNPP in Kano State and striping it of its only governorship seat and potentially reducing its influence and viability as a national party ahead of 2027 general polls.
