Kano Assembly Backs Yusuf’s Planned Defection To APC

Members of the Kano State House of Assembly have unanimously endorsed Governor Abba Yusuf’s planned defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing what they described as grave legal and political risks associated with remaining in the crisis-ridden NNPP.

The lawmakers said their position was informed by the unresolved leadership tussle and multiple court cases plaguing the NNPP, warning that the developments could jeopardise the mandates of elected officials in the state if left unchecked.

Speaking during a local radio programme, the majority leader of the House, Lawan Hussaini, said the Assembly could not afford to ignore what he termed “clear legal dangers” confronting the party. He noted that an existing court judgement had already recognised a particular faction of the NNPP, creating uncertainty over the legitimacy of party structures and nominations.

The legislators drew parallels with the 2019 political crisis in Zamfara State, where internal disputes within the APC culminated in the nullification of the party’s electoral victories. In that landmark judgement, the Supreme Court held that the APC had no valid candidates due to defective primaries, declared the votes cast for the party wasted, and consequently awarded victory to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including the governorship.

According to Hussaini, the situation currently facing the NNPP bears striking similarities to the circumstances that cost the APC control of Zamfara State.

He warned that unresolved factional battles and protracted litigation could invalidate candidates’ nominations, even after winning elections.

“The Zamfara judgement is a strong warning,” he said. “Internal party disputes can override electoral victories if the courts determine that a party lacks a legally recognised leadership or valid primaries.”

He explained that the Assembly’s stance was guided by the need to safeguard the mandate freely given to Governor Yusuf and other elected officials by the people of Kano State.

Hussaini added that the lawmakers were already consulting with Governor Yusuf and the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, on what he described as a “strategic and timely” defection to a more stable political platform, including the APC.

He stressed that the Assembly’s support for the governor’s proposed move was not driven by political opportunism, but by the imperative of avoiding legal pitfalls that could undermine governance and democratic stability in Kano State.