Kano Governor’s Secret Meeting with Tinubu Reignites Defection Concerns

January 19, 2026

Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has held a closed-door meeting with Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja, a development that has reignited concerns over a possible defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor arrived at the president’s office at about 16:13 local time on Monday and spent more than three hours inside. He left without making any public statement and declined to comment when questioned by State House correspondents about the purpose of the visit.

Neither the presidency nor the Kano State government has issued an official explanation for the meeting.

Join our WhatsApp Channel

The visit comes amid heightened political tension in Kano State following reports that Governor Yusuf may be considering a move to the APC — a prospect strongly opposed by the NNPP leadership and its national leader, former Kano governor Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.

In December, the NNPP said it was fully aware of the political developments in Kano and did not support any defection to the ruling party.

“We are aware of the developments happening here in Kano State concerning some individuals who intend to defect to the APC,” the NNPP’s Kano State chairman, Hashim Suleiman Dungurawa, said in a statement.

“I want to make it clear that the Kano State party, the national party, and our national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, together with other leaders, do not approve of what is happening.”

Dungurawa said the party had made repeated efforts to persuade those involved to remain within the NNPP in the interest of Kano residents.

League Players Assessment: Kano Pillars, Rangers Thrill Eagles’ Coach

Kano Residents Benefit From Fidelity Food Bank Initiative

Nigerian Government Begins Construction Of Emerging Technologies Institute In Kano

“We did everything within our power to persuade them to be patient and not defect to the APC, because of our responsibility to them and our responsibility to the people of Kano,” he said.

+ posts

Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa

Prosper Okoye

Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Previous Story

South Africa Cracks Down on Traffic After 13 Children Die in Crash

Next Story

Contractors Block Finance Ministry Over Unpaid ₦4tn Debt

Featured Stories

Latest from News

10 Key Changes INEC Is Making Ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections

Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has begun implementing a series of reforms aimed at improving transparency, reducing litigation, and strengthening public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections. The reforms follow the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026,

8 Key Things to Know About DSS Arrest Over Alleged Attack on Peter Obi

Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a man over alleged online threats against former presidential candidate Peter Obi following a violent political incident in Benin City, Edo State. The arrest has drawn national attention, with investigators examining whether the suspect
Previous Story

South Africa Cracks Down on Traffic After 13 Children Die in Crash

Next Story

Contractors Block Finance Ministry Over Unpaid ₦4tn Debt

Don't Miss

Electoral Crisis: Army Apprehends 10 Suspected Armed Thugs In Isi-Uzo LGA, Enugu

Electoral Crisis: Army Apprehends 10 Suspected Armed Thugs In Isi-Uzo LGA, Enugu

Officers of the Nigerian Army have arrested no fewer than
Suspected Meningitis Outbreak Kills 38 In Jigawa

Suspected Meningitis Outbreak Kills 38 In Jigawa

Thirty eight persons have died of suspected Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM),