Abuja, Nigeria – The Secretary of the New Nigeria Peoples Party’s (NNPP) Board of Trustees, Buba Galadima, has revealed that Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf severed ties with his political godfather, Rabiu Kwankwaso, months before publicly joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Galadima described Yusuf’s alignment with the APC and former governor Abdullahi Ganduje as a historic betrayal of the political movement that propelled him to power.
“Three months into his tenure, he abandoned Kwankwaso, but publicly, he still treated him like a king. What happens behind closed doors is different,” Galadima said, dismissing claims that the defection was in the interest of Kano residents.
According to the NNPP chieftain, Yusuf’s move was driven entirely by self-preservation. “His own personal interest—personal, personal, personal. Not Kano people. Not peace in Kano,” he insisted.
Galadima further argued that the defection would have been more acceptable had Yusuf joined another party. “Had Governor Yusuf moved from NNPP to another platform other than APC, I could have said he moved well. In this case, it is only a matter of survival,” he said.
The NNPP official also recounted the sacrifices made to secure Yusuf’s victory, highlighting the efforts of Kwankwaso and party leadership during the 2019 electoral battles. He credited former President Muhammadu Buhari and the courts for ultimately affirming Yusuf’s governorship.
“He believed that even if he won again, APC would still take it, so why not join them?” Galadima said, rejecting claims that Yusuf had freed himself from Kwankwaso’s influence, arguing that he had only been a beneficiary of the party.
Despite the loss, Galadima said the NNPP remains resilient. “Today, we have the sympathy of the people of Kano,” he added, affirming that the party would survive despite losing its only governor.
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