The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has issued a stern warning to Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, saying he will face political consequences for what it described as a betrayal of the party that brought him to power.
Governor Yusuf formally resigned from the NNPP on Friday, citing what he claimed was an irredeemable crisis within the party. He defected alongside some members of the House of Representatives and the Kano State House of Assembly.
His exit came days after the Kano State chapter of the NNPP publicly asked him to resign his membership before joining the All Progressives Congress (APC). The governor’s decision followed a private meeting with President Bola Tinubu, fueling speculation about political realignments ahead of future elections.
Reacting in a strongly worded statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, the NNPP dismissed Yusuf’s claim of an unfixable crisis as “baseless” and an “afterthought.”
The party noted that it had recently conducted congresses at all levels — from wards to the national convention — which culminated in its national convention on December 20, 2025. According to the NNPP, Governor Yusuf attended these congresses, all of which were supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The party also reminded the governor that the NNPP successfully participated in and won two supplementary elections in August 2025, in the Bagwai/Shanono and Ghari/Tsanyawa constituencies, as evidence of its continued political strength.
“We are very sad and really upset to learn that His Excellency, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has resigned and left the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP),” the statement said.
The party expressed deep disappointment in the governor, stating that he was trusted by the people of Kano State due to his long-standing association with the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
“By doing this, he risks bringing back the same forces that have long stood against the progress of Kano State and the aspirations of its people,” the NNPP warned.
Drawing parallels with Kano’s political history, the party recalled the defection of former governor Abubakar Rimi in the early 1980s, who left the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) for the Nigerian People’s Party (NPP).
According to the NNPP, Rimi’s defection ended in political failure, as he lost the 1983 gubernatorial election to PRP’s Aliyu Sabo Bakin Zuwo, while nearly all lawmakers who defected with him also lost their seats.
“This should serve as a clear warning to any politician contemplating a similar path,” the party said.
The NNPP called on the over 1,019,602 voters who supported Governor Yusuf in the last election, as well as the people of Kano State, to remain calm and avoid political tension.
“History has shown that those who trade loyalty for convenience and honesty for deception rarely escape public judgment,” the statement added.
“The truth endures, and the people of Kano will, in the end, stand with leaders who remain faithful to their principles.”
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