From Alliance to Fallout: How Internal Power Struggles Are Driving Governor Abba Yusuf Away from Kwankwaso

The political terrain of Kano State appears set for a dramatic shake-up as indications grow stronger that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf may soon part ways with his longtime mentor and political benefactor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. What once stood as one of the most formidable political alliances in northern Nigeria is now reportedly strained by deep internal disagreements, power struggles, and competing ambitions that threaten to redraw the state’s political map ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to information circulating within political circles and reported by POLITICS DIGEST, Governor Yusuf is allegedly finalising plans to defect from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), possibly on or before January 6, 2026. Should this move materialise, it would deal a major blow to the NNPP, leaving the party without a sitting governor nationwide and significantly weakening its relevance as a third-force platform in Nigerian politics.

At the heart of the rift lies a growing distrust over succession plans. Sources close to the Kano political establishment claim that Governor Yusuf believes there is a deliberate plot within the Kwankwasiyya movement to deny him the party’s ticket for a second term in 2027. This alleged plan, insiders say, is being driven by a powerful inner circle that has reportedly convinced Senator Kwankwaso that Yusuf should be replaced as the party’s gubernatorial standard-bearer.

This influential bloc, often described as a “Kwankwasiyya cabal,” is said to include the deputy governor, a serving senator, the governor’s political adviser, the state NNPP chairman, and a sitting commissioner. Their perceived closeness to Kwankwaso and growing influence within the party structure have, according to sources, steadily widened the gap between the senator and the governor, transforming what was once a mentor-protégé relationship into an increasingly adversarial one.

Tensions reportedly escalated further when Governor Yusuf began confronting alleged cases of corruption involving individuals believed to be loyal to Kwankwaso. Several controversies are said to have deepened the divide. One of the most prominent involves the alleged procurement of medical supplies through NOVOMED for Kano’s 44 local government areas without the governor’s authorisation. The case, which allegedly implicates the deputy governor and a relative of Kwankwaso, was referred to the Kano State Anti-Corruption Commission but has reportedly stalled.

Another major issue centres on alleged irregularities in a foreign scholarship programme, where over ₦1 billion is said to have been diverted by a member of the inner political circle. The matter is reportedly under investigation by the ICPC, with claims that some of the funds are already being refunded in instalments. Additionally, allegations of diversion of local government election nomination fees—running into hundreds of millions of naira—have been levelled against senior party officials, further straining trust within the NNPP leadership in Kano.

Beyond the personal and ethical disputes, the potential defection is also being framed as a strategic political calculation. Sources suggest that Governor Yusuf may not be moving alone. He is reportedly poised to defect alongside a substantial portion of Kano’s political structure, including a majority of local government chairmen, members of the State House of Assembly, federal lawmakers, and commissioners. Such a mass movement would instantly recalibrate the balance of power in the state and significantly strengthen the APC’s foothold in Kano.

The anticipated shift is also expected to trigger a reconfiguration of political leadership within the state. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, a former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly and current member of the House of Representatives, is reportedly being considered as a possible deputy governor under the APC platform. With strong influence in Kano South, Rurum is seen as a strategic choice to consolidate political support and enhance Yusuf’s chances in a future re-election bid.

As Kano braces for this potential realignment, the unfolding drama highlights a recurring theme in Nigerian politics: the tension between godfatherism and political independence. Whether Governor Yusuf’s move ultimately strengthens his position or exposes him to new political risks remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the outcome will not only reshape Kano’s internal power dynamics but also reverberate across the national opposition landscape as parties reposition themselves for the high-stakes 2027 elections.