By Blessing Bature, Abuja
The National Leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, alongside the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), has condemned Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s resignation from the party, describing it as “a cold betrayal of a sacred trust.”
This came as the Kano State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) expressed optimism that the governor would formally join the ruling party in the coming days.
Addressing supporters at his Miller Road residence in Kano, Kwankwaso announced January 23 as “World Betrayal Day,” a declaration he said was inspired by social media commentators who labelled Governor Yusuf’s defection as an act of betrayal.
“None caught my attention more than one post suggesting that January 23 be declared annually as World Betrayal Day,” Kwankwaso said.
“As the leader and grand patron of this movement, I hereby declare my full support for this declaration.”
He added that the day would henceforth be marked with special activities to remind party members of the events surrounding Yusuf’s departure.
In a related statement issued on Saturday, the NNPP, through its National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, dismissed the governor’s claim of an irredeemable crisis within the party as baseless and an afterthought.
Governor Yusuf’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, had announced the governor’s resignation from the NNPP on Friday.
Reacting, the party said it received the news with “profound anguish and deep disappointment,” accusing the governor of betraying the trust reposed in him by the people of Kano State and the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
“We deeply regret that Governor Abba, a man entrusted with leadership on the strength of decades of loyalty to the Kwankwasiyya Movement, has chosen this path,” the statement said.
“By this action, he risks returning Kano State to forces that have long opposed its progress and aspirations.”
The NNPP noted that the party recently conducted congresses from ward to national levels, culminating in a convention on December 20, 2025, under the supervision of INEC, with the governor in attendance.
It also highlighted the party’s victories in two supplementary elections held in August 2025.
“The assertion of an irredeemable crisis is therefore unfounded and merely an afterthought,” the party said.
Drawing historical parallels, the NNPP recalled the early 1980s defection of former Kano governor, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, from the PRP to the NPP, noting that despite moving with the majority of elected officials, he was decisively defeated in the subsequent election.
“History shows that those who trade loyalty for expediency rarely escape the judgment of the people,” the statement added, urging Kano residents to remain calm and avoid division.
APC Reserves Membership Number for Yusuf
Meanwhile, the Kano State chapter of the APC has welcomed the governor’s move, expressing confidence that he would soon formally join the party.
The APC State Secretary, Ibrahim Zakari Sarina, said the party’s doors were open to Governor Yusuf and his supporters.
“He is welcome. That is all we are going to say for now,” Sarina said.
Although Yusuf has not officially declared for the APC, Sarina disclosed that the party had already taken steps in anticipation of his defection by reserving a special electronic registration number for him.
“We have started e-registration and reserved membership number 001 for the governor at his Chiranci–Diso ward,” he confirmed.
He added that the development was expected to significantly boost the APC in Kano, as the governor was reportedly moving with a large number of elected officials and political appointees.
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