Shekarau defends Yusuf’s right to defect, accuses Kwankwaso of double standards

Former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, has dismissed suggestions that Governor Abba Yusuf would be betraying the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) if he defects, stating that political realignments are personal decisions based on circumstances and consultations.

In an interview with DCL Hausa, Shekarau countered recent remarks by NNPP leader Rabi’u Kwankwaso, who argued Yusuf should resign if he leaves the party.

Shekarau said this view ignores political precedents—including Kwankwaso’s own move from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) while serving as governor.

“When he was in PDP, he left with the governorship seat to APC. Why didn’t he drop it for PDP?” Shekarau asked, adding that Yusuf could similarly retain his position if he switched parties.

Shekarau also revisited his own departure from the NNPP, citing unresolved power-sharing disputes after he and Kwankwaso joined the party.

He explained that a committee chaired by Yusuf was formed to allocate positions, but the final list excluded Shekarau’s supporters. This led him and his followers to leave.

“I rejected the arrangement because I could not take a senatorial ticket alone while my people got nothing,” he stated.

He emphasized that defection should not be labeled betrayal, as leaders often act after consulting supporters and weighing their interests.

Noting Kwankwaso’s own history of switching parties, Shekarau concluded: “If Abba has his own reasons and those around him agree, I don’t see any betrayal here.”

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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