Plans by Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, to defect from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have reportedly hit a major snag over his insistence on securing an automatic governorship ticket for the 2027 election.
Sources familiar with the negotiations disclosed that Governor Yusuf made the guaranteed 2027 ticket a key condition for joining the APC. However, resistance from the party’s national leadership—concerned about internal democracy and competing ambitions within Kano APC—has stalled the talks and led to repeated postponements of the anticipated defection.
Although Yusuf was in Abuja over the weekend holding high-level consultations with APC leaders, the party has reportedly declined to grant him automatic candidacy, insisting that all aspirants must emerge through the party’s primaries.
The demand is said to have unsettled influential APC figures in Kano, including Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, who is believed to be nursing his own governorship ambition in 2027. Former Kano Governor and ex-APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, is also said to wield significant influence within the party’s structure.
A source close to the APC leadership revealed that, beyond the automatic ticket, Governor Yusuf also sought the right to nominate a minister for Kano State and influence other federal appointments currently occupied by APC members—conditions the party reportedly considers excessive.
“Other governors who defected to APC did not make such demands. Negotiations are still ongoing, but the party is not willing to sacrifice the ambitions of its leaders,” the source said.
Meanwhile, Yusuf’s deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has reportedly vowed to remain in the NNPP, a stance that could trigger internal conflict and possible impeachment threats should the governor eventually defect.
Further doubts about the immediacy of Yusuf’s defection emerged on Friday when he convened the first Kano State Executive Council meeting of 2026 in Abuja while wearing the Kwankwasiyya red cap and displaying the NNPP flag, signalling continued allegiance to his current party.
The NNPP national leader and former Kano governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has described Yusuf’s planned defection as a betrayal, though he has also hinted at the possibility of his own future realignment—under strict conditions.
Despite the reports, the Kano State APC has denied holding any meeting with Governor Yusuf over an automatic ticket. Speaking to journalists, the party’s secretary, Alhaji Zakari Sarina, dismissed the claims as baseless speculation.
“The governor is on his way to join the APC at the right time. There was never any discussion about denying him a ticket,” Sarina said, urging the public to ignore rumours and remain patient.
Sources say the situation is being closely monitored at the highest levels, with Vice President Kashim Shettima and President Bola Tinubu expected to receive briefings as negotiations continue behind closed doors.
