Prosper Okoye
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has formally resigned from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), citing deepening internal disputes and unresolved legal challenges within the party.
In a statement issued on Friday by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the governor said he had submitted a resignation letter to the chairman of the NNPP in Diso-Chiranchi Ward, Gwale Local Government Area. The resignation took effect on 23 January 2026.
Governor Yusuf thanked the NNPP for providing him with a political platform but said persistent internal crises had weakened the party’s cohesion at both state and national levels. He said his decision was guided by the need to prioritise stability and effective governance in Kano State.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“The prolonged disagreements and legal battles have continued to destabilise the party and undermine its ability to function effectively,” the statement said.
“My priority remains the collective interest of the people of Kano State.”
The move has triggered sharp reactions from within the party, most notably from Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the national leader of the NNPP and head of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
Speaking to supporters at his residence in Kano shortly after Governor Yusuf’s resignation, Mr Kwankwaso appeared to criticise the defection of the governor and other party members, amid reports that some local government chairmen, federal lawmakers and aides were preparing to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“I’m not for sale. Our political convictions keep me grounded,” Mr Kwankwaso said. “If I were in it for personal gain, I would have taken the easy route and you would be looking for me elsewhere.”
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He added that his political struggle had always been about ordinary Nigerians. “Our shared vision is what keeps me going. If I were motivated by greed, I would have taken the money and run,” he said.
Mr Kwankwaso urged his supporters to remain steadfast and begin preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections. “You should not relent, as we will one day achieve our objectives,” he said, warning that “there are people who are hell-bent on destroying what we built over time”.
He also insisted that he would not compromise his principles. “My mission is to always fight for the ordinary people. I would not compromise with those who exploit the masses,” he told supporters.
There has been no official response from the APC regarding reports of impending defections, as political tension continues to rise in Kano following the governor’s resignation.
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
