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Political Re-alignment Efforts in Kano Intensify as Governor Yusuf Meets Kwankwaso and Tinubu

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

A series of high-stakes meetings aimed at reshaping the political landscape in Kano State and at the national level unfolded this week, centering on Governor Abba Yusuf and his political mentor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

According to Daily Nigerian, governor Yusuf held a late-night meeting with Kwankwaso at the latter’s Miller Road residence in Kano on Tuesday, sources familiar with the matter confirmed the development to the newspaper. The governor, accompanied by an intermediary known as Sarkin Gobir, reportedly arrived in a private vehicle around midnight. The meeting, which lasted over an hour, appears to have concluded without the governor achieving his primary objective.

Shortly thereafter, on Friday, Governor Yusuf traveled to France for a scheduled meeting with President Bola Tinubu.

According to sources within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) who spoke anonymously to the Daily Nigerian, Governor Yusuf’s mission was to make a final appeal to Kwankwaso to defect from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and join the APC. This move is believed to have been encouraged by President Tinubu, who is reportedly keen on bringing Kwankwaso into the ruling party’s fold.

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A day after the private meeting, Kwankwaso addressed a gathering of supporters at his home, making his position clear. “People used to say in Nigeria that everyone has a price tag. If you are looking for who has no price tag, come to Rabiu Kwankwaso,” he declared. He cited public dissatisfaction with the APC’s handling of national security and the economy as reasons for his steadfastness.

Political Calculus and Backlash

The governor’s planned defection has reportedly encountered significant resistance. While a number of NNPP legislators and local government chairmen are set to join him in moving to the APC, the vast majority of the party’s grassroots base—the Kwankwasiyya movement—remains loyal to Kwankwaso.

“APC leaders are keenly observing what is happening in Kano. The Kwankwasiyya supporters have made a bold and clear statement that they are with Kwankwaso,” a political insider noted. “If Abba joins APC, Kwankwaso’s candidate may likely get a sympathy vote.”

This grassroots backlash is understood to be a key factor driving the continued push to convince Kwankwaso himself to switch parties, thereby potentially bringing his supporters with him.

Next Steps

Sources further revealed to Daily Nigerian that Governor Yusuf will brief President Tinubu in France on the outcome of his Kano meeting. The governor’s formal announcement of his defection to the APC is expected only after further consultations with the party’s top leadership in Kano.

Notably, key Kano APC figures—including former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, and state party chairman Abdullahi Abbas—have returned to Nigeria ahead of these anticipated consultations.

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Kaduna: Hayin Danmani Community Decries Fatal Accidents on Western Bypass, Threatens Protest Over Inaction

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Residents of Hayin Danmani, a community along the Nnamdi Azikiwe Western Bypass in Kaduna State, have decried the recurring loss of lives on the highway, threatening to stage a protest and block the road if the government does not take immediate action.

In a joint press statement, the community said many lives have been lost between 2025 and 2026, with most of the victims being residents of Hayin Danmani.

The community lamented the frequent accidents on the bypass, alleging that no concrete measures have been taken by authorities to address the situation.

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“Enough is enough. We will not tolerate this anymore. Our people are being killed on the Kaduna Western Bypass, and nothing has been done,” the statement read.

“If this continues, we will not fold our arms while our people are losing their lives. The next line of action is a protest. We will mobilize our community members to come out en masse to protest and block the road until the government does the needful.”

The community cited a recent incident on Tuesday, where a young man identified as Mr. Dauda, reportedly a soldier, was killed after being hit by a trailer. He died instantly.

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NANS-RN Disowns Alleged ‘President’, Warns Public Against Impostor

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The recognised leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Republic of Niger Chapter (NANS-RN), has distanced itself from one Abubakar Muhammad Uwaisu, accusing him of falsely parading himself as the “National President” of the association.
In a press disclaimer issued by the association’s Secretary General, Comrade Mustapha Y. Haruna, the group described Uwaisu’s claim as “false, baseless, and a deliberate act of impersonation and misrepresentation.”

The association stated that Uwaisu “is not, and has never been” its president, urging the public, media organisations, government agencies, and diplomatic stakeholders to disregard any statements or representations made by him in that capacity.

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NANS-RN further alleged that Uwaisu lacks the qualifications and institutional backing required to assume any leadership role within the body, noting that leadership within the association is based on due process, legitimacy, and the confidence of its members.

The statement also raised concerns about alleged conduct attributed to Uwaisu, including remarks directed at Musa S. Mamman, Secretary General of the Nigeria–Niger Joint Commission, whom the association described as a respected diplomat with a record of national service.

The association cautioned key institutions such as the National Youth Service Corps and the Federal Ministry of Education against engaging with Uwaisu under any official pretence, emphasising that he does not represent Nigerian students in the Republic of Niger.

Reaffirming its commitment to protecting the integrity and unity of the student body, the leadership said it would pursue all lawful measures to safeguard the association’s image.

It also urged stakeholders to verify official communications through recognised NANS-RN channels to avoid being misled.

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UAE to Withdraw from OPEC Effective May 1, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced on Tuesday that it will withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the broader OPEC+ alliance, effective May 1, 2026.

The decision, reported by a Dubai-based local media outlet, stems from the UAE’s long-term strategic and economic vision as its energy profile evolves. This includes accelerated investments in domestic energy production, following a comprehensive review of the country’s current and future production capacity, as well as its overall output policy.

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“This would be based on the UAE’s national interest and commitment to contributing effectively to meeting the market’s pressing needs,” the report added.

The UAE stated that it will continue to act as a responsible and reliable energy supplier, bringing additional production to the market gradually and measuredly, in line with demand and market conditions.

The Emirates also reaffirmed its commitment to investing across the entire energy value chain—including oil and gas, renewables, and low-carbon solutions—and to working with partners to ensure stable global supply.

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