Kano Speaker, others pressure Gov. Yusuf, Kwankwaso to join APC

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

Political associates and loyalists of Kano state Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, are mounting pressure on him to dump the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) for the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Governor Yusuf and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are said to have held a series of meetings in recent times, weighing the possibility of the Kano Governor to cross carpet into the ruling APC.

Governor Yusuf is the only NNPP Governor in Nigeria.

It was also learnt that former Governor of Kano state and political benefactor to Governor Yusuf, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso is also weighing options of joining the APC.

A close political associate to Kwankwaso, confided in our Correspondent that Kwankwaso who used the NNPP platform to vie for the presidency in 2023, “is seriously considering the possibility of dumping the party.”

“Our leader (Kwankwaso) is under intense pressure to join the APC. His political associates within Kano, and from across the country are convincing him to join the APC. Serious pressure is also mounting from the presidency,” he added.

Our Correspondent reports that the Director-General of Protocols to Governor Yusuf, Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo; and the Speaker of Kano State House of Assembly, Hon. Jibril Ismail Falgore, have concluded plans to lead NNPP leaders in Rogo Local Government Area to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, urging them to defect to APC.

The appeal followed a crucial meeting of NNPP stakeholders and caucus members from Rogo Local Government Area, where party leaders unanimously agreed to call on the two political heavyweights to join the APC.

Addressing journalists in Kano, Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo said the meeting brought together all NNPP chieftains, ward leaders, and key stakeholders in the Local Government to review the political situation in Kano State and at the national level.

“After extensive deliberations, we collectively resolved to appeal to our leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, to consider defecting to the APC,” Rogo said.

He described Kwankwaso as the undisputed leader of the NNPP in Kano, noting that the appeal was made out of loyalty, respect, and concern for the future of the state.

“We acknowledge Senator Kwankwaso as our leader and political mentor. That is why we are respectfully urging him and the governor to join the APC,” he added.

Also speaking, the Speaker of Kano State House of Assembly, Hon. Jibril Ismail Falgore, said the move would help strengthen political unity and enhance development in Kano state.

According to him, “aligning with the APC would create better opportunities for cooperation with the Federal Government and attract more democratic dividends to the people of Kano, particularly those in Rogo Local Government Area.”

The NNPP leaders maintained that their call was motivated by the interest of the people and not personal political gains.

As of the time of filing this report, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf have not reacted to the appeal.