Kano, Nigeria – The New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano State has expressed shock and disappointment over the defection of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme monitored on Monday, the NNPP’s Kano State spokesperson, Ibrahim Karaye, said party members felt devastated and betrayed by the governor’s decision.
DAILY POST reports that Governor Yusuf officially rejoined the APC on Monday, days after resigning from the NNPP last Friday.
Reacting to the development, Karaye said the party was not taken by surprise, noting that key NNPP stakeholders were already aware of the governor’s intention to leave.
“We are really devastated. We feel betrayed, and we are not happy with this development,” Karaye said. “However, NNPP remains strong and relevant in Kano. From the moment the governor started planning to leave, major stakeholders were aware.”
He added that while the party waited patiently for Yusuf’s decision, it became clear last Friday when he formally resigned from the NNPP.
Karaye also questioned the justification given by the governor for his defection, particularly claims of internal crises within the NNPP.
“We expected him to move to what he would call a more progressive or sophisticated party, especially since he cited internal crisis as one of his reasons for leaving,” he said. “But the truth is, there is no political party in Nigeria without internal challenges. Even the APC in Kano, which he has joined, is riddled with its own crises. That is simply the nature of politics.”
Despite the defection, the NNPP spokesman insisted that the party remains the dominant political force in Kano State and will continue to play a major role in the state’s political future.
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