Kwankwaso, NNPP Fume Over Kano Gov’s Defection

Ex-gov describes January 23 as ‘World Day Of Betrayal’ Kano govt warns supporters against insulting former minister

A former Kano State governor and national leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has declared January 23 as the “World Day of Betrayal” following the defection of his political protégé, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, alongside key elected officials in the state, from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Kwankwaso made the declaration on Saturday while addressing members of various Kwankwasiyya groups who visited his residence on Miller Road, Kano, to reaffirm their loyalty to him amid the unfolding political situation in the state.

Governor Yusuf defected from the NNPP on Friday, 23 January 2026, alongside 21 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives, and all 44 local government chairmen in the state.

The governor conveyed his decision in a resignation letter addressed to the chairman of Diso-Chiranchi Ward of the NNPP in Gwale Local Government Area, stating that it would take effect from January 23, 2026.

In his letter to the NNPP, the governor said: “I write with a deep sense of gratitude to formally notify the leadership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) of my decision to resign my membership of the party. This decision takes effect from Sunday, 25 January 2026.”

“In recent times, the party has been confronted with persistent internal challenges arising from leadership disagreements and ongoing legal processes, many of which are presently before the courts for judicial determination.”

According to him, these disagreements have deepened divisions and weakened the party’s unity.

“The growing disenfranchisement among party members has created deep divisions within the party structure, resulting in cracks that appear increasingly irreconcilable and have generated uncertainty at both state and national levels,” Yusuf said.

He further explained that his decision was taken after careful consideration and was guided solely by public interest.

“After careful reflection, and without prejudice to the party’s capacity to resolve its internal challenges, I have concluded that my resignation is in the best interest of the people of Kano State,” he said.

The Kano governor emphasised that the move was not borne out of bitterness.

“This decision is taken in good faith, without any ill will, and with a continued commitment to peace, unity, and the progress of Kano State,” the governor added.

However, reacting to the development, Kwankwaso described the defection as an act of betrayal.

He said he had followed reactions on social media, noting that one particular comment caught his attention.

“I have seen many comments on social media; several people are talking about betrayal, but none caught my attention like the one suggesting that the 23rd of this month should be declared the World Day of Betrayal,” he said, as supporters cheered.

Kwankwaso said he endorsed the suggestion and announced plans to institutionalise the date.

“As the leader of this party, I support the proposal to name 23 January as the World Day of Betrayal. From now henceforth, we shall roll out programmes to commemorate this day every year, so that the people involved now, and those who may likely follow in their footsteps in this betrayal, will be reminded,” he added.

The former governor’s remarks come amid ongoing political developments in Kano State, where Governor Yusuf’s defection has triggered a deep split within the NNPP structure and support base.

In its reaction, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) also described Yusuf’s resignation from the party as a betrayal of the trust reposed in him by the people of Kano State.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bamofin Ladipo Johnson, in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, expressed profound anguish and deep disappointment over Governor Abba’s decision, saying he had chosen to betray the sacred trust of the people who voted for him.

He said the governor’s claim of an irredeemable crisis in the party was baseless and an afterthought, pointing out that the party had recently held congresses to elect its leadership and won two supplementary elections.

The statement recalled a similar betrayal in the 1980s by Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, who defected from the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) to the Nigerian People’s Party (NPP) and was subsequently defeated in the 1983 gubernatorial election.

“We urge the people of Kano State to remain calm and patient. History has shown that those who trade loyalty for expediency and honour for deceit rarely escape the judgement of the people. The loyalty of the Kano masses to the principal leadership will ultimately prevail,” Johnson stated.

Don’t Insult Kwankwaso, Kano Government Warns Supporters

Meanwhile, the Kano State Government has warned supporters of the state governor against making inflammatory remarks or insulting the Kwankwasiyya leader, cautioning that such actions would attract disciplinary measures.

The warning was issued on Saturday by the spokesperson of the governor, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, during the distribution of 500 motorcycles to social media promoters of the governor at the Government House, Kano.

Governor Yusuf, who was present at the event, appeared in his usual Kwankwasiyya signature white Babbar Riga and red cap.

Dawakin Tofa said the government would not tolerate acts of indiscipline or disrespect towards Kwankwaso, describing him as a political leader whose contributions to Kano politics must be acknowledged irrespective of current political developments.

“We will not accept indiscipline or insults against the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. Anybody who engages in such behaviour will face the consequences. We will not accept any insult despite our recent resignation from the political party,” he said.

He urged supporters of the governor to exercise restraint and maturity, particularly amid heightened political tension following the recent shift in political alignments in the state.

According to him, the state government remained committed to maintaining peace and internal cohesion among its supporters, stressing that political disagreements should not degenerate into personal attacks or abusive conduct.

Deputy Governor, Kwankwasiyya Loyalists Absent As Yusuf Makes First Public Appearance After NNPP Exit

Meanwhile, Kano State Deputy Governor, Abdulsalam Gwarzo, and several officials believed to be loyal to the Kwankwasiyya political movement were conspicuously absent on Saturday as Governor Yusuf made his first major public appearance following his resignation from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

The occasion was the flag-off of the distribution of motorcycles to social media promoters at the Open Arena of the Government House, Kano.

The event attracted top government officials and the governor’s political associates, but also highlighted visible cracks within the administration.

Among those present were the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Ismail Falgore; the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Farouq; a former deputy governor of the state and Chairman of the Governing Council of Northwest University, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar; and several commissioners.

Commissioners in attendance included Yusuf Labaran (Health), Alhaji Umar Doguwa (Water Resources), Comrade Ibrahim Waiya (Information), and Dr Danjuma Mahmoud (Agriculture).

However, the deputy governor’s absence coincided with the non-appearance of commissioners widely perceived to be loyal to the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement and former governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Those reportedly absent included the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Yusuf Kofar Mata; Commissioner for Sports, Mustapha Kwankwaso; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Children and the Physically Challenged, Amina HOD; Commissioner for Tourism, Aisha Saji; Commissioner for Internal Security, AVM Ibrahim Umaru (rtd); and the Head of Service, Abdullahi Musa.

In a related development, resignations have continued to trail Governor Yusuf’s exit from the NNPP. A former Special Adviser on Political Matters, Sunusi Sirajo, announced his resignation in a video circulated on social media, citing his loyalty to Senator Kwankwaso and describing the governor’s defection as a betrayal.

He claimed his resignation letter had earlier been rejected by government officials.

Other appointees who reportedly resigned include the Provost of the Anti-Corruption Institute, Sumaila Abdullahi; the Managing Director of Kano Zoo, Sadiq Kura Mohammad; and the Senior Special Assistant on Intergovernmental and Foreign Affairs, Abdullahi Ahmad Namama.

In a swift response, the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, announced the appointment of Mustapha Hamza Buhari as the new Special Adviser on Political Matters.

Our correspondent also observed that NNPP flags had been removed from the Government House, further reflecting the administration’s political shift.