Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s recent closed-door meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ignited significant political discussions regarding his potential defection. The meeting, held at the Presidential Villa, has fueled speculation that Governor Yusuf, who won the 2023 governorship election on the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) platform, might be transitioning to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). This development has placed a spotlight on the intricate political landscape of Kano, a state known for its dynamic party allegiances and competitive electoral history.
Governor Yusuf’s visit to President Tinubu on Monday has become a focal point for political observers and party actors alike. His attire, a white babanriga with a red Kwankwasiyya cap, was noted as he proceeded to the President’s office, adding to the intrigue surrounding his political maneuvers. In recent weeks, a series of reconciliatory gestures and behind-the-scenes consultations have been interpreted as signals of a possible political shift, although no formal announcement has been made by the governor himself.
What is the significance of Kano Governor’s meeting with President Tinubu? The meeting is significant because it suggests a potential shift in political allegiance for the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, from the NNPP to the APC. This move, if it occurs, would have considerable implications for the political balance in Kano and potentially at the national level, given Kano’s status as a key state in Nigerian politics.
Reports indicate that key stakeholders within the APC have been actively engaging with Governor Yusuf. The argument presented to him is that aligning with the ruling party would provide him with greater access to federal support and facilitate smoother collaboration on critical areas such as infrastructure development, security enhancements, and social programs for the state.
Supporters of a potential defection also point to the governor’s recent interactions with prominent APC figures and federal officials as evidence of a deliberate political recalibration. These engagements are seen as strategic steps towards a broader political realignment within the state and beyond.
President Tinubu himself has previously lauded Governor Yusuf’s leadership. In a birthday message on January 5th, the President praised Governor Yusuf’s experience, noting how his tenure as commissioner had prepared him for the infrastructural changes currently underway in Kano. Tinubu specifically highlighted the governor’s urban renewal programs, including the construction of five-kilometer roads in each local government area, as well as his declaration of an emergency in education, which has reportedly led to marked improvements in Kano students’ performance in NECO exams.
Tinubu described Kano as “the bastion of progressive politics in the North” and acknowledged that under Governor Yusuf’s leadership, the state is re-echoing a commitment to grassroots development and improving the lives of the common people, a legacy championed by the late Mallam Aminu Kano.
Meanwhile, the Kano State Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Abbas, has shed light on the delay in the party’s electronic registration process. He explained that the delay is specifically to accommodate the governor’s potential defection. Abbas stated this on Monday during a meeting with electronic registration trainees for the Kano APC, in preparation for the commencement of the registration.
Abbas elaborated that Kano has been left behind as the party’s member registration began two weeks prior. However, he emphasized that the ongoing political developments in Kano necessitated delaying the start of their registration. The APC chairman explicitly stated that it would be inappropriate to commence registration without the governor, especially given the expectation of his defection to their party.
He further explained that it is only proper to wait for the governor and other interested individuals to join the party, highlighting the democratic nature of their approach. Abbas also revealed that 1,500 registration personnel will be trained to manage the APC membership registration in the state. These individuals will undergo training from the national body of the party, which includes the State Chairman, State Secretary, the Organizing Secretary as the Coordinator, and three other representatives from the three senatorial zones of Kano.
These trained personnel will then be responsible for training the registration officers on the correct procedures. The registration is anticipated to commence by the end of the month. The party chairman urged members to demonstrate commitment to the registration process, aiming to surpass the membership numbers of states that have already begun their registration.
He issued a stern warning to the trainees against any form of negligence, assuring them that such lapses would not be tolerated by the party. Abbas also announced the possibility of the governor’s return to Kano on Tuesday, potentially accompanied by the immediate past national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje. The distribution of registration pads is expected to take place upon their arrival.
Why is Kano APC delaying e-registration? The Kano State APC is delaying its electronic registration process to accommodate the potential defection of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. The party chairman stated that it would be improper to begin registration without the governor and others who might join the party with him, emphasizing a democratic approach to membership onboarding.
What is the timeline for Kano APC e-registration? The Kano State APC plans to commence its electronic registration by the end of the month, following the training of 1,500 registration personnel. The distribution of registration pads is expected upon the return of the governor and the former national chairman.
