Fresh facts have emerged on why the anticipated defection of the Kano State governor, Abba Yusuf, from the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is being delayed.

A competent source has told the Nigerian Tribune that the defection process is almost completed and that the governor has already decided to move but that he is still consulting with critical stakeholders.

It was gathered that when he started the move with the party’s headquarters in Abuja, and President Bola Tinubu, the President, it was gathered, had told him to come to the grassroots and interface with his party as well as the APC stakeholders in Kano.

At that time, APC’s leader in Kano, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, had travelled to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj and it was learnt that upon his return, he would consult with stakeholders on the governor’s proposed defection in Abuja.

Ganduje, a former governor of the state and former national chairman of the party, is believed to have thrown his weight behind the governor’s defection.

It was gathered that if the governor eventually defects to the APC, Ganduje would be the major beneficiary because since 2019, he had not been on good terms with the governor’s godfather, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

A close aide of Ganduje, Baffa Dan’agundi, noted that the APC and Ganduje welcomed the governor to the party, and that Ganduje had put his rift with Kwankwaso behind.

Speaking on Ganduje’s behalf on Monday, Dr. Dan’agundi, who is also the director-general, National Productivity, said, “Dr. Ganduje told me clearly that he was not happy at all with the comments made by Senator Kwankwaso against him.”

He confirmed that preparations to formally welcome Governor Yusuf into the APC were already at an advanced stage, both at the national and state levels.

According to him, consultations are ongoing, with a brief delay attributed to the Umrah pilgrimage of the Kano State APC chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, and Ganduje’s temporary absence from the country.

“Once they return, a special meeting will be held with His Excellency Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and his delegation, to conclude the process,” Dan’agundi assured.

The Barau factor

Another reason adduced for the delay is the inability of stakeholders to decide on the fate of the deputy Senate president, Jibrin Barau, who is believed to be eyeing the governorship seat.

Since Yusuf is serving his first term in office, it was gathered that his defection into the APC may lead to clash of interests among major stakeholders in the party in Kano State.

According to one of the major stakeholders in the state, “Barau has to be carried along for the formal defection to be successful. I think they will ask him to remain where he is. If Governor Yusuf completes his two terms, he will be next in 2031.”

Our members are being forced to defect — Kwankwaso

Meanwhile, the Kano State government has dismissed allegations that public officials are being forced to defect to the APC, describing the claims as false and lacking substance.

The allegations were made by the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who accused the state government of compelling officials to abandon their political affiliations.

Reacting to the claims, the Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ibrahim Waiya, said no individual was coerced into joining the APC.

According to him, participation in any political party remains a personal decision.

“What actually happened is that our party is asking everyone—not only government officials—who is willing to join the APC to do so.

There is no compulsion whatsoever, as being reported,” Waiya said.

He further stressed that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf respects the constitutional rights of citizens to freedom of association and political choice, insisting that the state government would not force anyone to join any political party.

However, Kwankwaso has maintained his position, alleging that public officials are being pressured to defect. In a statement posted on his verified social media platforms, he said he had received what he described as “deeply troubling” reports.

“I have received several reports — some good and some very terrible — indicating that the Kano State government is compelling state officials and elected local government chairmen to sign for either Gandujiyya or Kwankwasiyya,” Kwankwaso alleged.

He described the development as disheartening and warned his supporters not to take the matter lightly, adding that it was unfortunate for any government to resort to such actions.

Meanwhile, in a video clip accompanying his statement, Kwankwaso urged his supporters to freely exercise their political rights, including the option of joining the APC if they so desired.

“You are free to sign any document given to you for (defecting) to the APC. I have no problem with that,” he (Nigerian Tribune)