Isaac Samuel
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is intensifying efforts to secure Kano State ahead of the 2027 general elections, as negotiations with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf over a possible defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have reached an advanced stage.
It was gathered that discussions between the governor and senior figures in the ruling party have progressed beyond exploratory talks, raising expectations that Yusuf may soon formally align with the APC.
If concluded, the move would represent one of the most significant political shifts in the North-West in recent years.
Kano, Nigeria’s most populous state and the single largest contributor of votes in presidential elections, remains a prized political asset.
Control of its structure is widely regarded as critical to any serious national electoral strategy, a factor driving the APC’s renewed focus on the state.
It was learnt that the ruling party initially sought to woo the national leader of the NNPP and former Kano governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, but encountered delays over conditions and timing.
With progress proving slow, the APC reportedly redirected its strategy towards Yusuf, whose incumbency places him at the centre of Kano’s political machinery.
It was learnt that the governor showed openness to the proposal, particularly amid internal calculations about political stability, re-election prospects and the future of the Kwankwasiyya movement.
The APC was said to have followed up with sustained engagements, outlining assurances aimed at integrating Yusuf and his supporters into the party’s fold.
Within Kano’s political circle, it was gathered that Yusuf has been making efforts to persuade Kwankwaso to move with him, believing a joint defection would preserve unity among their supporters and strengthen their negotiating position within the ruling party.
However, these efforts have reportedly exposed fault lines within the Kwankwasiyya camp.
While some NNPP lawmakers at the Kano State House of Assembly and the National Assembly are said to be inclined to follow the governor to the APC, others have remained loyal to Kwankwaso and are unwilling to make a move without his direct approval.
Public signals of the unfolding talks emerged after the Director-General of Protocol at the Kano State Government House, Abdullahi Rogo, called on party members to close ranks with the governor and consider joining the APC.
In a video that circulated widely, Rogo appealed to Yusuf and Kwankwaso to move together in the interest of political cohesion.
An APC chieftain in the state, Imrana Muhammad, also heightened speculation when he stated on social media that meetings involving the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly and key Kwankwasiyya figures had produced an understanding that both Yusuf and Kwankwaso should align with the APC.
Kwankwaso has, in the past, acknowledged contacts with the ruling party, maintaining that any potential alliance would be based on firm commitments, while recalling previous political experiences in both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which he said failed to honour agreements.
Nevertheless, party insiders disclosed that following reports of Yusuf’s advanced talks, Kwankwaso reopened communication with the APC leadership to reassess his options. While he may not defect simultaneously with the governor, sources said he is weighing the timing and broader implications of such a move..
Those familiar with the egotiations said Yusuf may have already reached an understanding with the party leadership and is only awaiting the completion of internal consultations before making his decision public.
