Shettima: No political actor can afford to ignore Kano as Gov Yusuf formally defects to APC

After weeks of speculations, Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on Monday officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). His former party, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) also lost 22 members of the Kano State House of Assembly and nine members of the House of Representatives to the ruling party.

Yusuf’s official declaration took place at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano in the presence of APC leadership which include the Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The Vice President who represented President Bola Tinubu said Kano State is important to the development of the nation because it is politically strategic and cosmopolitan in nature, adding that Kano has in the past and recently played a central role in Nigeria’s democratic evolution and stressed that no serious political actor could afford to ignore the state.

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“Kano is an elegant expression of Nigeria’s cosmopolitan soul. Whenever Kano speaks, the nation listens — not just because of its population, but because of its historic role in shaping political thought, commerce and culture in this country,” he said.

Shettima congratulated Governor Yusuf and members of his political family for what he described as a courageous and forward-looking decision to join the APC, assuring them of the party’s support.

“Kano is too important to remain on the sidelines. Today’s alignment strengthens our collective resolve to build a more inclusive and prosperous Nigeria,” Shettima said.

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APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, described the party as the largest political family in Africa and welcomed Yusuf back to what he termed his “natural political home.”

He said the governor’s return to the APC symbolised unity and progress, urging party members in Kano to close ranks and work together for the development of the state. “Unite Kano, unite your people and build a progressive state. Take this as a sign of coming back home. You are welcome,” Yilwatda declared.

Addressing party leaders, lawmakers and supporters at the event, Governor Yusuf said the decision followed extensive consultations with elected representatives and key stakeholders across the state.

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“After wide consultation, 22 out of 24 members of the Kano State House of Assembly and nine out of 14 members of the House of Representatives have concluded that we should join the APC,” Yusuf said.

He explained that the move was aimed at strengthening governance and accelerating development in the state. “We are choosing partnership rather than polarisation. Political parties are vehicles; the destination is to bring positive change to the people of Kano,” the governor stated. “Judge this decision by the work we do for the people of Kano.”

Other prominent APC leaders, including, National chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, former National Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Ganduje; Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin; and Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Abubakar Kabiru Bichi, among others.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, also urged his supporters to rally behind the governor. “I urge all my supporters to support Governor Abba Yusuf so that we can work together for the progress of Kano State,” he said.

Former APC National Chairman Ganduje welcomed the governor and the lawmakers into the party, describing Yusuf as a progressive politician. “Governor Abba Yusuf is a progressive politician and deserves to be in the APC. From now on, he is the leader of the party in Kano State,” Ganduje declared. “Every member and leader of the party is 100 per cent with him.”