Kwankwaso Begins Restructuring Kwankwasiyya Movement After Yusuf’s Exit

Indication emerged yesterday that former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had begun restructuring the Kwankwasiyya Movement following the exit of Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf from the party and the political movement.

A source within the movement confided in LEADERSHIP that the restructuring became necessary ahead of the 2027 election.

Governor Yusuf who defected from New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was a long-time member of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, which has a signature dress of a flowing white babariga and red cap.

Yusuf’s exit is perceived to have weakened the movement which started during the second tenure of Kwankwaso as governor of Kano State, the commercial nerve centre of Northern Nigeria from 2011 to 2015.

However, the source within the movement claimed that the crowd that received the former governor in Kano on Monday was evident of Kwankwaso’s popularity, and said “the restructuring of the movement after the governor’s exit has already begun, and it has started with those who resigned from the administration recently.”

As part of the restructuring of the movement, the Kwankwasiyya Movement yesterday announced the appointment of two new spokespersons.

The new appointees are Hon. Habib Saleh Mailemo as Spokesperson I and Capt. Mansur Kurugu as Spokesperson II.

In a statement by the Kwankwasiyya movement, signed by Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofarmata, who recently resigned as commissioner in Governor Yusuf’s administration, the appointments were “In furtherance of its resolve to consolidate its political message and reinforce engagement with the Nigerian people.”

The statement added: “This decision aligns with the Movement’s strategic repositioning ahead of emerging political realities, where clarity of ideology, coherence of message, and discipline in communication are indispensable.

“Habib Saleh Mailemo, as Spokesperson I, will serve as the official voice of the Movement on political positions, policy perspectives, and strategic direction, while Capt. Mansur Umar Kurugu, as Spokesperson II, will support coordinated messaging, rapid response, and grassroots-oriented communication.”

The statement said the Kwankwaso-led movement is confident that the appointments will project Kwankwasiyya as a people-driven political movement anchored on social justice, equity, and progressive leadership.

It added that all official communications of the movement shall be conveyed through these appointed spokespersons.

“Kwankwasiyya remains unwavering in its commitment to the masses and to the advancement of principled politics,” it added.

Kano Deputy Governor Absent from Office yesterday

Meanwhile, Kano State Deputy Governor Abdulsalam Gwarzo was conspicuously absent from his office on Tuesday, a day after his principal, Governor Abba Yusuf, officially defected to the ruling APC.

Sources within the Deputy Governor’s office told LEADERSHIP that Gwarzo reported for duty briefly on Monday morning but left at about midday, ahead of the governor’s formal reception into the APC at the Coronation Hall of the Government House.l, Kano

Governor Yusuf was received by top APC figures, including former national chairman of the party, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin.

Gwarzo is widely regarded as a loyalist of the Kwankwasiyya political movement led by former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Credible sources said the deputy governor is expected to remain aligned with the Kwankwasiyya camp despite the governor’s defection to the APC.

Efforts to obtain official clarification were abortive, as the deputy governor’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Shuiabu, neither answered phone calls nor responded to text messages sent to his known lines of communication as of press time.

The development comes amid a wave of resignations by key government officials believed to be loyal to the Kwankwasiyya movement.

At least five commissioners have tendered their resignation letters in the last few days. They include the Commissioner for Special Duties, Nasiru Sule Garo; Commissioner for Internal Security and Special Services, Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Umaru (rtd); Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Yusuf Kofar Mata; Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mustapha Kwankwaso; and Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Adamu Aliyu Kibiya.

On Tuesday, the Director-General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Laminu Rabiu, also resigned his appointment with immediate effect, reaffirming his loyalty to Senator Kwankwaso. Some senior special advisers, similarly aligned with the Kwankwasiyya political movement, were also reported to have stepped down.

As political realignments continue to unfold in the state, analysts, including a former Deputy Governor of Niger State, Ahmed Mohammed Ketso, have cautioned that the deputy governor may face impeachment over his refusal to join his principal in the APC.

He noted that the Kano State House of Assembly may be instigated to initiate impeachment proceedings should the political rift deepen.

However, Governor Yusuf had strictly warned his supporters not to direct abusive words at Kwankwaso.

Meanwhile, the House of Assembly, which has the APC in comfortable majority, is expected to resume plenary on Monday, February 2, 2026, amid heightened political tension in the state.