Gov. Yusuf: Embracing APC and the challenges ahead

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

It is no longer news that Kano state Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, has made the strongest political decision of abandoning his embattled political benefactor, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, in his bid to securing a brighter political future for his followers and the entire people of Kano state. Though many who are very close to Governor Yusuf, insist that his latest decision of defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), to the All Progressive Congress (APC), was a tough one, the Governor has maintained that his latest action was entirely guided by his zeal to ensure the best for the Kano people.

Senator Kwankwaso who was the 2023 presidential candidate of the NNPP is branded as the National Leader of the party, and the Grand Commander of the Kwankwassiyya Political Movement, a platform, many believed, helped Governor Yusuf to become Kano’s number citizen in 2023. Kwankwaso and his ardent followers, have not hidden their disppleasure over Governor Yusuf’s “surprising” decision to abandon NNPP and the Kwankwassiyya Political Movement.

Senator Kwankwaso personally described Governor Yusuf’s latest political romance with the APC and major political opponents of the Kwankwassiyya Political Movement as, “betrayal” insisting that nobody who betrays his political Bloc “succeeds.” But for Governor Yusuf and his followers, the mass exodus from the NNPP to APC is major answer to a wake up call for political liberation in Kano state.

As it stands, the dust raised by Governor Yusuf’s exodus has created unprecedented political alignment and re-alignment across major political blocs in Kano. A top associate of Senator Kwankwaso who spoke to our Correspondent on condition of anonymity, insisted that the former Defence Minister is not weighed down by the unfolding events, even as pundits believe that Governor Yusuf’s action has expressly deflated Kwankwaso as the only man who wears, “the Iron Shoe,” of Kano politics.

According to him: “What we are experiencing in Kano today is not new, going by the antecedents of ungrateful Nigerian politicians. Yes. We believe that the Governor’s latest moves are raw signs of betrayal and selfishness, but at the end of the day, they will have themselves to blame. Everybody knows that Kano is Kwankwassiyya. I must also remind you that most of those who pretend to be leaving with Governor Yusuf are 100 per cent Kwankwassiyya come rain, come sun. They are working for our leader, Senator Kwankwaso, whose political feathers never wanes. He is a grass root mobilizer who is loved and cherished by all. He has touched the lives of both the rich and the poor positively, and they will never abandon him, even though the Governor and his cohorts seem to have abandoned him.”

Indeed, the unfolding political development in Kano is a litmus test to Governor Yusuf’s political cum leadership sagacity as he is confronted with the onerous task of carrying people from diverse political orientations along.

Apart from steadily maintaining his influence over those who crosss-carpeted with him from the NNPP/Kwankwassiyya political movement, Governor Yusuf should be ready to contend with political blocs within the APC, particularly, those loyal to the immediate-past APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and the loyalists of the Deputy President of the Senate, Dr. Barau I. Jibrin.

A loyalist of Dr. Jibrin who does not want his name mentioned on print told our Corrrespondent that Governor Yusuf may not be getting it right if he thinks that his coming into APC means automatic second term ticket for him. According to him, Senator Barau Jibrin has not shielded his 2027 governorship aspiration.

He said: “The Deputy President of the Senate has not told anyone that he is no longer contesting for governorship in Kano come 2027. He is still nursing the ambition. So, Governor Yusuf’s defection to APC has not killed that dream. We welcome the Governor with open hands, but we are not guaranteeing him automatic ticket. He is coming to join us as a loyal party man who will never allow his personal interest to override the overall interest of the party.”

Our corrrespondent also gathered from the grapevine that former Deputy Governor of the state, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, who was the APC’s governorship flag-bearer in the 2023 governorship election in Kano, is also keeping alive his ambition to govern Kano in 2027. Governor Yusuf defeated Gawuna in 2023 governorship election in Kano. For now, Gawuna is under the political bloc of Ganduje, popularly known as the Gandujiyya Political Movement. Those loyal to this political bloc are insisting that Ganduje, the immediate-past National Chairman of APC remains the leader of the party in Kano, even with Governor Yusuf’s entrance.

Be that as it may, pundits believe that the challenges before Governor Yusuf as he joins the progressives are enormous. Governor Yusuf is expected to carry all blocs within the APC along, if he is determined to succeed. He is also expected to ensure the ceaseless loyalty of those who came with him from the Kwankwassiyya Political Movement. He is expected to shine his eyes so as to separate among loyalty, sycophancy, deception and back-stabbing.

However, all is set for the reception of Governor Yusuf into APC as the former National Chairman of the party, Dr. Ganduje, has returned to the country after spending several weeks on vacation in Dubai, United Arab Emirates(UAE).

A statement by Malam Muhammad Garba, Chief of Staff to the Former APC National Chairman, said Dr. Ganduje arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Saturday at about 4:30 p.m. aboard an Emirates Airline flight, after which he would proceed onward to Abuja. Following his return, the former APC National Chairman is expected to commence a series of consultations and stakeholders’ meetings focusing on recent political developments in Kano state.

These engagements, according to the statement,are aimed at, “reviewing the evolving political landscape and consulting widely with party leaders and critical stakeholders.” Garba said Dr. Ganduje is also expected to go for the ongoing APC nationwide electronic membership registration (e-registration) exercise.

“The initiative, which he pioneered during his tenure as National Chairman, was designed to modernise the party’s membership database, enhance internal planning and ensure that APC membership records are comprehensive, credible and easily accessible. Theformer governor remains committed to strengthening party structures and promoting inclusive dialogue in support of democratic consolidation within the APC, particularly in Kano State,” the statement added.