There was calm but increased security in Kano State yesterday following Governor Abba Yusuf’s defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

There was, however, no official speech by the governor, his aides and the state government on the development.

A formal ceremony to herald his defection, which was initially scheduled for yesterday, also did not take place.

Yusuf was not in the Government House, where The Nation sighted some political aides removing NNPP’s flag at the main entrance. They hung the Nigerian Green –White- Green national flag in the place of NNPP’s.

The NNPP flag at the Deputy Governor’s Office was also removed.

Some of the political aides were seen walking around the Government House premises with caps emblazoned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s famous freedom cap.

Tinubu’s freedom cap was first seen on the premises last Sunday at a function attended by Governor Yusuf and his exco members.

Many junior workers who were also spotted discussing in groups did not wear the Kwankwasiyya cap, which hitherto was a part of their dressing.

There was a heavy presence of armed security personnel and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) in parts of Kano, especially around the Government House.

An exco member, who did not want his name in print, told The Nation that the governor skipped the ceremony to prevent violence.

“We are no longer in NNPP. The most important thing about the defection to APC has been done, and others are still ongoing,” he said.

It was gathered that Yusuf would soon fly abroad with his loyal stakeholders to brief President Tinubu on his defection.

Another government official revealed that the governor defected with all the state’s council chairmen and all NNPP House of Assembly members.

Yusuf won the 2023 election on the platform of the NNPP, but has, for months, had open disagreement with Musa Kwankwaso, widely regarded as the leader of the party (NNPP).

It was also gathered that the governor’s decision to defect stems from the unresolved leadership crises and multiple court cases within the NNPP.

Kwankwaso, a former governor of the state, has vehemently disapproved the move by the governor. He insists Yusuf should relinquish his position if he must defect. (The Nation, but headline rejigged)

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