The National Working Committee (NWC) of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has criticised Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf over his resignation from the party, describing the move as a betrayal of a sacred trust bestowed on him by the people of the state.
In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, the party dismissed Governor Yusuf’s claim of an irredeemable crisis within the NNPP as baseless and an afterthought.
Governor Yusuf formally resigned from the NNPP on Friday and is widely expected to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC). His spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, confirmed the development, stating that the governor communicated his decision in a letter addressed to the NNPP chairperson of Diso–Chiranchi Ward, Gwale Local Government Area.
“I write with a deep sense of gratitude to formally notify the leadership of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) of my decision to resign my membership of the party, with effect from Friday, January 23, 2026,” the letter read.
Reacting, the NNPP said it received the news with “profound anguish and deep disappointment,” noting that Governor Yusuf was elected on the strength of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, which it described as a symbol of loyalty and grassroots mobilisation in Kano.
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“We deeply regret that Governor Abba, a man entrusted by the people of Kano State on the strength of his decades of loyalty and dedicated service to the Kwankwasiyya Movement, has now chosen to betray that trust,” the party said.
The NNPP argued that claims of internal crisis were unfounded, pointing out that the party recently conducted congresses at ward, local government, state and national levels, culminating in a national convention held on December 20, 2025, which Governor Yusuf attended. The party added that it also won two supplementary elections in Bagwai/Shanono and Ghari/Tsanyawa constituencies in August 2025.
“The assertion of an irredeemable crisis in the party is therefore baseless,” the statement said.
Drawing historical parallels, the NNPP recalled the defection of former Kano governor Abubakar Rimi from the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) in the early 1980s, noting that despite taking most elected officials with him, he was defeated at the polls in 1983.
The party urged Kano residents and the over one million voters who elected Governor Yusuf to remain calm and law-abiding, warning against actions that could lead to division or unrest.
Meanwhile, Governor Yusuf’s resignation has triggered a wave of resignations by political appointees believed to be loyal to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
Among them is the Special Adviser on Political Matters, Sunusi Sirajo, who announced his resignation in a video circulated on social media. He said he stepped down to avoid being part of what he described as a betrayal of Kwankwaso.
“I don’t want to be part of betrayal. My loyalty remains with our leader,” Sirajo said, adding that earlier attempts to submit his resignation letter were unsuccessful.
He said he later decided to make the resignation public, thanking the governor for the opportunity to serve.
In a swift response, Governor Yusuf appointed Mustapha Hamza Buhari as the new Special Adviser on Political Matters.
Other officials who have resigned include the Provost of the Anti-Corruption Institute, Sumaila Abdullahi, the Managing Director of Kano Zoo, Sadiq Kura Mohammed, and the Senior Special Assistant on Intergovernmental and Foreign Affairs, Abdullahi Ahmad Namama, among others.
In a symbolic move, the flags of the NNPP were removed from the Kano State Government House. A video circulated online showed the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, taking down the party’s flag from the seat of power.
The political fallout from Governor Yusuf’s defection continues to reshape Kano’s political landscape, with further realignments expected in the coming days.
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