2027 Elections: How the Kano Defection Changes Northern Politics
Kano State has always been unique in Nigerian politics. It is known for its large population and voters who follow politics closely. For a long time, the state was the home of the Kwankwasiyya movement. This group wears red caps to show their support for Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. But in January 2026, everything changed.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf left the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). This is not just a change of political parties. It is a major event that shakes the foundation of politics in Northern Nigeria. It is a story about survival, accusations of betrayal, and plans for the 2027 general elections.
The Big Move
Rumors about this move had circulated for months. People whispered about it in government offices in Abuja and discussed it in Kano tea shops. Finally, the confirmation came. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf formally resigned from the NNPP.
Governor Yusuf released a statement to explain his decision. He blamed “unresolved internal crises” within the NNPP. He said he thought carefully before leaving because of the serious problems inside the party. This is a common move in politics. Politicians often blame their old party when they want to join a new one.
But Governor Yusuf did not leave alone. His move was carefully planned. Immediately after he defected, 21 members of the Kano State House of Assembly also left the NNPP for the APC.
This movement of lawmakers is very important. In Nigeria, a governor needs the support of the legislature to stay safe and effective. If Governor Yusuf had moved alone, the lawmakers could have impeached him as in the case of the ongoing crisis in Rivers state between Governor Fubara and the Rivers lawmakers. By taking 21 members with him, he protected his position. This action also weakened the NNPP in the government, even though the party is still popular with ordinary people.
Learning from the Rivers Crisis
Governor Yusuf’s strategy shows he has been watching political events in other states very closely. The situation in Rivers State served as a harsh lesson for him. In Rivers, Governor Siminalayi Fubara found himself in a dangerous position because the State House of Assembly remained loyal to his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. This led to constant threats of impeachment and instability, making it hard for the governor to govern effectively.
Yusuf was determined not to fall into the same trap. By ensuring that 21 lawmakers defected with him, he effectively “coup-proofed” his administration. He did not just cross the carpet; he took the carpet, the chairs, and the table with him. This move neutralizes any immediate threat of impeachment and signals to his new party, the APC, that he is coming in as a powerful leader with full control of his state’s political machinery, not as a desperate refugee seeking shelter. It was a masterstroke that secured his flank, ensuring that even if the NNPP leadership wanted to fight back, they had no legislative army to use against him.
The Godfather and the Godson
To understand why this is a big deal, we must look at the relationship between Governor Yusuf and Rabiu Kwankwaso. This was not just a political partnership. It was family. Yusuf is Kwankwaso’s son-in-law. For years, people saw Yusuf as a loyal follower who did whatever Kwankwaso asked.
When Yusuf won the governorship in 2023, many people saw it as a victory for Kwankwaso. They believed the Kwankwasiyya movement had taken the state back from the APC and the former Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.
However, recent events have destroyed this bond. The NNPP was angry and bitter about the defection. Kwankwaso and the party leadership described the move as a betrayal. They said Yusuf stabbed the people of Kano in the back.
The NNPP believes the people voted for their ideology, not just for Yusuf as a person. The party stated that Kano people feel betrayed. They argue that Yusuf sold out their struggle against the APC to secure his own political future.
The Reason for Leaving
Governor Yusuf claimed he left because of an internal crisis. We need to look at this claim closely. Since the 2023 elections, the NNPP has had some problems. There were fights among leaders at the national level. There were also arguments about the party’s logo. However, most experts do not think these small fights were enough to make a governor leave his party.
Political analysts suggest there is a different reason. They believe this move has been in the works since early 2024. At that time, the Supreme Court confirmed Yusuf’s victory in the election. Before that judgment, the lower courts had removed him. Rumors said that a deal was made with the APC government. The deal was simple: Yusuf keeps his seat, but he must eventually join the APC.
Joining the APC helps Yusuf in many ways. It brings him closer to President Bola Tinubu. This gives him access to federal resources and protection. It also helps him step out of his father-in-law’s shadow. In the APC, Yusuf can try to build his own power base.
What Next for the Red Caps?
The biggest question remaining is the fate of the Kwankwasiyya movement. For over a decade, this movement has been more than just a political group; it has been a social revolution in Kano, championing education and empowerment. Critics argue that without the resources of the government house, the movement may struggle to sustain its momentum. In Nigerian politics, patronage, the ability to give jobs and contracts, is the fuel that keeps political engines running. With Yusuf taking this “fuel” to the APC, Kwankwaso faces his toughest test yet.
However, it would be a mistake to write off the movement completely. Kano voters are known for their independent streak. If the APC government fails to deliver on its promises, or if the internal fight between Yusuf and Ganduje becomes messy, the people could easily turn back to the red caps in protest. The Kwankwasiyya ideology is deeply rooted in the streets, and streets have a long memory. The next few years will determine if the movement was built on true loyalty or merely the expectation of reward.
The Ganduje Factor
There is still a big problem to solve. The National Chairman of the APC is Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje. For eight years, Ganduje and Kwankwaso fought a bitter war for control of Kano. Yusuf was on Kwankwaso’s side during that war. Now, Yusuf has joined Ganduje’s party.
It will be interesting to see how Governor Yusuf and Ganduje work together. In Nigerian politics, the governor is usually the leader of the party in the state. Will Ganduje accept his former enemy as the leader of the APC in Kano? Or will this cause a new fight inside the APC?
The defection of the 21 lawmakers suggests the APC in Kano is reorganizing to welcome the Governor. They want to unite their forces to finish off the NNPP. If the APC can manage the big personalities involved, they will become very strong. These personalities include Ganduje, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, and now Governor Yusuf.
2027 and the Battle for the North
Kano is more than just a state. It has millions of voters. It is the most important state for Northern politics. President Tinubu knows he needs Kano to win a second term in 2027. In the last election, Kwankwaso and the NNPP stopped Tinubu from getting most of the votes in Kano.
By accepting Governor Yusuf, the APC is trying to destroy the opposition from the inside. The NNPP needs the Governor’s support and control of local governments to survive. Without this, the party faces a serious threat. The Kwankwasiyya movement is strong, but fighting against a Governor who has federal support is very difficult.
Conclusion
The NNPP feels deeply betrayed. Their supporters wore red caps and faced teargas to defend Yusuf’s victory. For them, this defection hurts. But this is a common lesson in Nigerian politics. Interests are more important than ideology. Loyalty does not last long.
The red caps are disappearing in Kano. The broom of the APC is replacing them. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has made his choice. He left the comfort of his godfather for a new and uncertain alliance. We do not know if this gamble will secure his future or make the voters angry. One thing is certain. The politics of Kano has reset, and a new game has begun.
