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The 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has described the defection of Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, as a political betrayal.
The governor on Monday joined the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, despite warnings from his estranged political godfather, Kwankwaso.
The governor’s decision to quit the NNPP for the APC has triggered a serious political crisis in Kano State.
Some cabinet members of Yusuf’s administration who are loyal to Kwankwaso are reportedly preparing to resign in the coming days.
Addressing his supporters in a viral video on Wednesday, Kwankwaso lamented that the mandate handed over to the APC was hard-fought by his support organisation, known as the Kwankwasiyya movement.
According to him, handing over the mandate to his perceived political enemy, former National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, was a sin against the people of the state.
He said, “Handing over Kwankwasiyya’s hard-fought mandate to Ganduje and the APC is nothing short of political betrayal and a grave sin against the people.”
Meanhile, the appearance of Kano State deputy governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, at the private residence of the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on Wednesday, appeared to be an open reaffirmation of his loyalty to his longtime political mentor and Kwankwasiyya Movement leader amid ongoing defection moves by his principal, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
The event took place at Kwankwaso’s Miller Road residence in Kano, where he met with NNPP leaders and supporters from Rano and Dawakin Tofa Local Government Areas of Kano State, along with other Kwankwasiyya groups who reiterated their commitment to the NNPP.
During the meeting, Gwarzo was seated beside Kwankwaso, a gesture widely interpreted by observers as a clear show of support for the Kwankwasiyya movement leader.
The development comes at a time of heightened political tension between Kwankwaso and a faction reportedly loyal to Governor Yusuf, who are believed to be planning a defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The apparent political rift had intensified while Deputy Governor Gwarzo was away performing Umrah (Lesser Hajj) in Saudi Arabia, with many watching closely to see whether he would alter his political stance upon his return.
His appearance at the Wednesday’s meeting, however, appeared to signal continued allegiance to Kwankwaso
