Immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has thrown his weight behind Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf’s second-term ambition, assuring him of victory in the 2027 governorship election following his return to the ruling party.
Ganduje made the declaration on Monday at a ceremony held at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano, to formally welcome Yusuf back to the APC, describing the governor’s defection as a “historic homecoming” that strengthens the party’s fortunes in the state.
“You will win your second term in 2027. We have spoken to all aspirants, and they have agreed to support you,” Ganduje said.
“In APC, all serving governors are leaders of the party in their respective states. Therefore, you are the leader of the APC in Kano State.”
He recalled Yusuf’s earlier association with the party and expressed gratitude over his return.
“We were in APC together with you… but later, because of some political differences and redirection, you left the party for the NNPP. Now, we are thankful that you are back to our party and your home,” he said.
Ganduje described Yusuf as a progressive leader whose policies and governance style align with the APC’s ideology.
“As our brother, the Governor of Kano State, you are a progressive politician from your utterances, your policies and the implementation of those policies,” he said.
He further assured the governor of fairness within the party and expressed confidence that the APC would secure sweeping electoral victories in future polls, including President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Governor Yusuf officially rejoined the APC on Monday after resigning from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) on January 23, citing internal crises, legal disputes, and the need to protect Kano State’s development agenda.
In his resignation letter to the chairman of the Diso-Chiranchi Ward of the NNPP in Gwale Local Government Area, Yusuf said his decision followed extensive consultation and reflection on the state’s future.
“Leadership must rise above comfort, sentiment or personal selfishness. That is why, after careful reflection and consultation, I relinquish my membership of NNPP and joined the party that is better for Kano,” he said.
He said the move was driven by the need to align Kano with the Federal Government, promote unity, and end years of political isolation.
“We are choosing progress over personal desires. Our loyalty is to Kano first,” he said, urging former allies, including Rabiu Kwankwaso, not to view the decision as personal but as a step toward stability and development.
The governor’s return to the APC was accompanied by 22 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives, and all 44 local government chairmen, signalling a major political realignment in the state.
Kwankwaso’s son resigns
The defection also led to the resignation of Mustapha Rabi’u Kwankwaso, Kano State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development and son of former governor and senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.
In a statement on Monday, Mustapha Kwankwaso said he resigned “with a heavy heart,” thanking Governor Yusuf for the opportunity to serve the state.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce my resignation as Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, and Member of the Kano State Executive Council. I want to express my deepest gratitude to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for the opportunity to serve the people of Kano State,” he said.
He also called for sustained commitment to youth programmes and expressed optimism that sports development initiatives in Kano would continue to expand.
Barau welcomes Yusuf
Meanwhile, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, also welcomed Yusuf to the APC, pledging to work with him to advance Kano’s development.
In a statement by his media aide, Malam Ismail Mudashir, Barau said the governor’s return strengthened the APC in northern Nigeria and reaffirmed support for President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“I welcome His Excellency, the governor of our beloved state, Kano, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, to our great party, the APC, the largest political party in Africa,” he said.
“I want to reassure the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Bola Tinubu, GCFR, of my unalloyed commitment to the ideals of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he added.
