Governor Yusuf's Defection to APC Stalls Over Automatic Ticket Demand

The anticipated move of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has hit a significant obstacle. The APC has declined his key condition: a guaranteed governorship ticket for the 2027 elections.

This refusal has caused unease within the governor’s camp and led to multiple postponements of his planned defection. While Governor Yusuf remained in Abuja for high-level talks with APC leaders on Friday, the Kano APC chapter denied discussing an automatic ticket with him, stating he would join “at the right time.”

The negotiations have reportedly faced resistance from major APC figures in Kano, including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, a likely 2027 governorship aspirant. A source close to former APC Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje stated the party is unwilling to override the ambitions of its established leaders for Yusuf.

Beyond the automatic ticket, the governor is also said to be demanding influence over federal appointments from Kano, conditions described as unprecedented for a defecting governor. The APC leadership insists he must participate in a primary contest like any other aspirant.

Further complicating matters, Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo has vowed to remain in the NNPP, a move that could create political instability and risk of impeachment for Yusuf should he defect.

Signs that a defection is not immediate emerged on Friday when Governor Yusuf convened his first State Executive Council meeting of 2026 in Abuja. He appeared in the signature red cap of the Kwankwasiyya movement and with the NNPP flag, reaffirming his commitment to governance.

Kwankwasiyya is led by NNPP leader Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who has termed Yusuf’s defection plans a betrayal.

Kwankwaso himself has not ruled out joining the APC but insists on a “concrete agreement” for himself, his supporters, and Kano’s interests before any move.

It was also revealed that Yusuf recently held private meetings in Abuja with Ganduje and Senator Jibrin regarding the defection. Vice President Kashim Shettima is monitoring the situation, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expected to receive a final briefing.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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