By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s speculated defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), is reportedly a step away from reality following a decisive meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa today, sources familiar with the discussions have confirmed.

According to insider reports, the governor’s team expressed renewed confidence after the private talks, which appear to have resolved weeks of political uncertainty. A senior APC figure from the North-West told Politics Digest that President Tinubu’s intervention has provided Governor Yusuf with the necessary assurances to proceed with his planned move to the ruling party.

While no official statement has been released, the source indicated that the president addressed a major obstacle in the negotiations—the governor’s eligibility for an automatic APC gubernatorial ticket in the 2027 election.

“The path is now clearer,” the source stated. “The president has assured Governor Yusuf that his second-term ambition under the APC will be protected, provided he manages the internal political dynamics in Kano with care.”

Despite this progress, the presidency reportedly advised the governor against relying solely on top-level backing. He has been urged to continue consultations with key APC stakeholders in Kano to prevent potential internal friction.

This caution comes amid existing tensions within the state’s APC structure, involving factions loyal to Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and other influential figures with strong interests in Kano’s political future.

The mood within the governor’s camp marks a shift from earlier reports of hesitation from the APC leadership, which had been reluctant to offer written guarantees regarding an automatic ticket.

Governor Yusuf’s recent symbolic gestures—such as presiding over a state executive meeting in Abuja while wearing the red cap associated with the Kwankwasiyya movement—may soon give way to a formal declaration. The meeting with President Tinubu is understood to have been the final step before a public announcement that could reshape the political landscape of the North-West.

A significant unresolved factor remains the governor’s relationship with his political mentor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. As Governor Yusuf moves closer to the APC, Kwankwaso is reportedly exploring alternative political alignments.

By Dr. Mukhtar Bello Maisudan

At the heart of any functioning democracy lies a core principle: freedom of choice. This is not simply a slogan; it is a fundamental democratic value upheld by scholars and practitioners alike. From Robert Dahl’s classical theories of polyarchy to Adam Przeworski’s work on democratic accountability, the ability of citizens—and their elected leaders—to reassess alliances and make independent political choices is central to democratic life. It is through this lens that the anticipated/planned decision by the Governor of Kano State to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) must be understood not as betrayal or disloyalty, but as an exercise of democratic agency in pursuit of service to the people of Kano.
Political theorist Robert Dahl argued that democracy is best understood as a system in which citizens have the continuing opportunity to influence decisions by choosing among alternative leaders and policies. In “Democracy and Its Critics,” Dahl emphasizes that political competition, realignment, and choice are not flaws in a system—they are signs of a healthy, responsive democracy. If democratic governance is to live up to its ideals, it must allow its actors the freedom to rethink, reassess, and reorient. This academic foundation supports the view that a political decision like the governor’s intended move is not a violation of democratic norms, but rather a legitimation of them.

Scholar Adam Przeworski, in his work on democratic accountability, stresses that leaders in a democracy are accountable first to the electorate, and not to permanent political patrons or ideological loyalties. Przeworski writes that democracy “requires leaders to be responsive to the preferences of their constituents over time,” implying that flexibility in political alignment is part of responsiveness, not defiance. In this context, the governor’s anticipated decision to join the APC can be seen as an attempt to align Kano State more effectively with federal structures to secure resources, representation, and political leverage for the state. Such a recalibration is not self-serving in itself; it is consistent with the demands of democratic accountability that prioritize public interest.

Kano State is not a laboratory for personal loyalties. It is a large, diverse, and dynamic state with pressing developmental needs—needs that transcend party labels. Political scientist Larry Diamond argues in “Developing Democracy” that the essence of democratic leadership is the capacity to deliver effective governance and improve citizens’ welfare. By this measure, the legitimacy of political decisions must ultimately be judged by their impact on the lives of citizens. Consider key areas where Kano State’s government has demonstrated focus and progress:
Infrastructure development: Sustained investment in road networks to improve transportation and commerce across urban and rural areas.
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Education reforms: Efforts to improve learning outcomes, enhance school environments, and provide opportunities for Kano’s youth.

Healthcare delivery: Expanding community health services and strengthening public health institutions.

Urban renewal and sanitation: Upholding the dignity of public spaces and improving living conditions in towns and cities.
Economic empowerment: Programs aimed at supporting small businesses, traders, and vulnerable populations.

These are pragmatic governance actions that speak to a vision of development beyond political rhetoric.

Critics may label the governor’s anticipated decision a “betrayal” of Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. However, such a framing collapses complex political dynamics into oversimplified moral judgments. Political scientists Hana Bäck and Patrick Dumont point out in their research on party systems that politics is inherently dynamic and rooted in strategic considerations, not static allegiances.

Kwankwaso himself is engaged in political navigation and future planning—an entirely legitimate democratic pursuit. If political motivation is acceptable for one leader, it cannot be disallowed for another without creating a double standard that undermines democratic equity.

Democracy thrives in environments of tolerance, dialogue, and mutual respect. Political scientist Benjamin Barber, in “Strong Democracy,” highlights the importance of civic engagement based on deliberation rather than confrontation.

When politics devolves into bitterness, vendettas, and personal attacks, society suffers—not just the political actors involved. It is the people who pay the price. Kano has always been politically vibrant. It must now demonstrate political maturity—showing that disagreements can exist without descending into hostility, and that diverse opinions do not have to fracture communal harmony.

The governor’s anticipated decision—and the public debate surrounding it—presents a test for Kano’s democratic culture. Will we default to partisan outrage, or will we embrace a more reflective understanding of politics as a shared effort to improve human well-being? Democracy is more than a transient contest of power; it is a system of freedom, responsibility, and mutual tolerance. As the Nigerian scholar Claude Ake reminded us, democracy must be rooted in citizens’ everyday lives, not in elite posturing. Kano State must remain above the politics of bitterness and vengeance. Let us focus on inclusive development, respectful disagreement, and collective advancement. Let us celebrate democratic choice and reject divisions that weaken the bonds of community. In the end, history will not remember who switched party cards. It will remember who delivered good governance, served the people earnestly, and strengthened the bonds of unity in diversity. That is the standard Kano deserves—and that is the standard democracy demands.

By Comrade Najeeb Nasir Ibrahim
Kano Concern Citizens for Good Governance

In politics, leadership is measured not by emotional loyalty to platforms, but by the courage to make strategic decisions that protect stability, relevance, and the collective interest of the people. Recent reports indicating that the Executive Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, may defect from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) should therefore be assessed with political maturity rather than sentiment.

Kano State, Nigeria’s most populous state, occupies a critical position in national politics. Any political decision taken by its governor has implications far beyond party structures—it directly affects governance, development, and Kano’s bargaining power at the federal level.

The Political Reality Behind the Decision

Governor Yusuf emerged under the NNPP, largely supported by the Kwankwasiyya movement. However, evolving political realities—particularly internal divisions within the NNPP and increasing national realignments—have made the status quo difficult to sustain.

The open invitation extended by the APC, reportedly backed by key party stakeholders, reflects recognition of Governor Yusuf’s political weight. More significantly, indications that a large majority of NNPP lawmakers in the Kano State House of Assembly may follow him suggest that this is not an isolated ambition but a calculated collective shift.

Why the APC Alignment Is a Wise Decision

First, alignment with the ruling party at the federal level enhances access to national resources, infrastructure funding, and policy collaboration. In Nigeria’s political system, federal-state harmony often determines the pace and scale of development. Kano cannot afford isolation at the centre.

Second, internal crises within the NNPP have increasingly become a distraction to governance. Political stability is essential for effective leadership. A move to the APC could consolidate political forces, reduce factional conflicts, and allow the governor to focus squarely on service delivery.

Third, with the 2027 general elections approaching, political foresight is essential. The APC’s nationwide structure, institutional depth, and electoral machinery offer a broader and more sustainable platform than a fragmented opposition party. This positioning strengthens both the governor’s future prospects and Kano’s influence in national decision-making.

Fourth, the move could contribute to building a wider northern political coalition—an important factor in shaping national leadership and policy outcomes in Nigeria.

Responding to the Critics

Critics frame the potential defection as a betrayal of loyalty to the Kwankwasiyya movement. While loyalty has its place, governance must always come before political sentiment. Political movements are vehicles for progress, not permanent constraints.

Others raise concerns about ideological inconsistency. However, Nigerian politics has long been shaped by strategic realignments. What ultimately matters is not party branding, but the ability to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.

Implications for Kano Politics

This moment represents a turning point in Kano’s political history. It signals a possible fragmentation of the Kwankwasiyya structure, a redefinition of long-standing political alliances, and a reshaping of opposition strength within the state. More importantly, it underscores early preparations for the decisive 2027 elections.

Conclusion

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s reported move toward the APC should be seen as a strategic and forward-looking political decision, driven by the need for stability, development, and relevance in national politics. While the decision carries political risks, leadership often demands difficult choices.

History will ultimately judge this decision by its outcomes. If Kano secures greater development, stronger federal collaboration, and political stability, then this move will stand as a wise and timely decision made in the best interest of the people.