₦airaland Forum

From Alliance to Fallout: How Internal Power Struggles Are Driving Gov. Abba Yusuf Away from Kwankwaso

The political landscape of Kano State is poised for a major realignment as Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf prepares to formally sever ties with his longtime political benefactor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Fresh information obtained by POLITICS DIGEST indicates that the governor is finalising plans to defect from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on or before January 6, 2026. If the move materialises, it would leave the NNPP without a single sitting governor nationwide—marking a significant setback for the party.


Roots of the Fallout:

Alleged Succession Plot

Credible sources say the decision is largely driven by an alleged plot to deny Governor Yusuf the NNPP ticket for a second term in 2027. Insiders claim that a powerful faction within the Kwankwasiyya movement has convinced Senator Kwankwaso to replace Yusuf as the party’s gubernatorial flagbearer.

This group—described by sources as a “Kwankwasiyya cabal”—is said to include the deputy governor, a serving senator, the governor’s political adviser, the state party chairman and a commissioner. Their influence, sources say, has widened the rift between Kano’s two most influential political figures to a point many now consider irreparable.


Corruption Allegations and Growing Tensions

The relationship, which reportedly began to deteriorate in 2024, was further strained by Governor Yusuf’s efforts to confront alleged corruption involving individuals close to Kwankwaso. Investigations by POLITICS DIGEST point to three major controversies that deepened the divide:

The NOVOMED Procurement Case: This involved the alleged procurement of drugs for the state’s 44 local government areas without the governor’s approval. Although the Kano State Anti-Corruption Commission was directed to investigate, the case—implicating the deputy governor and a nephew of Kwankwaso—has reportedly stalled.

Foreign Scholarship Fund Allegations: More than ₦1 billion was allegedly diverted by a member of the inner political circle. The suspect is said to be under investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and has reportedly begun refunding the funds in instalments.

Local Government Election Nomination Fees: The political adviser and state party chairman are alleged to have diverted hundreds of millions of naira in nomination fees into a private company account linked to the adviser.

A Strategic Defection with Numbers

Governor Yusuf is not expected to defect alone. Sources familiar with the plan say he is set to move with a substantial segment of Kano’s political structure. These reportedly include at least 35 of the 44 local government chairmen, 19 of the 27 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, 10 of the 13 members of the House of Representatives from the state, and 23 of the 30 commissioners.

The Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly is among the senior lawmakers said to have already endorsed the planned defection, ahead of the APC’s congresses scheduled for February.


Leadership Reconfiguration: Rurum Emerges

The anticipated defection is also expected to trigger a reshuffle within the state’s political hierarchy. Party insiders say Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, a former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly and current member of the House of Representatives, is being considered as Governor Yusuf’s preferred deputy under the APC platform.

Rurum, who commands considerable influence in Kano South, is viewed by strategists as a more politically advantageous choice to balance interests within the APC and strengthen Yusuf’s prospects for re-election in 2027.

As political calculations intensify, all eyes remain on Kano, where the unfolding developments could significantly reshape not only the state’s power dynamics but also the broader opposition landscape ahead of the next general elections.

https://prnigeria.com/2025/12/29/alliance-fallout-internal/

So Kwankwaso wanted to give Fubara treatment to Gov Yusuf - the " no second term" treatment. Watch how Bitter Obidients give Kwankwaso a pass because he doesn't have a running battle with Gbajue. They forget that godfatherism is everywhere. Even PitaObi wanted to exert his influence over Obiano, but he rejected it, leading to a friction between the two of them.

This is the same way Peter obi and Obiano parted.

Obiedun:
This is the same way Peter obi and Obiano parted.

Gringory Obi a very weak politician, a self centered opportunist.

He ran away to the Pdp from Apga, then ran away to the LP, now he has admitted that he is a founder of the Adc coalition.

Who no like better things?

Welcome to the Progressives in advance,Mr Governor .

With APC, your return to that seat is over guaranteed 👌

Just decamping to APC as you've been rumoured to. We don't need all these explanations

Hmmmm. Politicians are actively preparing for 2027

DeltaBachelor:
Hmmmm. Politicians are actively preparing for 2027

They're all looking for ‘POWER’, what a word that people are so desperate for. What a word !!

Hurricane JAGABAN the moving spirit

Tinubu has other powerful power players in Kano outside kwankwaso. So if d governor is with tinubu, ganduje with Tinubu and majority of senate and HoA, then he's good to go and will allow kwankwaso to remain afloat but little relevance.
That's not d same with Rivers.
Wike is right now unequalled when it comes to power in Rivers and Tinubu won't like to hurt him especially nit after d role wike played openly during 2023 warmup and election.
So fubara will either continue to lick wike ass or he say bye to d ticket.

Obiedun:
This is the same way Peter obi and Obiano parted.

Obi is a sissy, he can’t command any man.

News for zombies
We all know it is billions from special funds sent to private accounts that's luring opposition govs to APC
Thanks to Fayose for the exposure

Except fellow sissies.

Check EVERY "man" who follows Obi. They MUST be effeminate.

LegendHero:
Obi is a sissy, he can’t command any man.

WYZAD:
Tinubu has other powerful power players in Kano outside kwankwaso. So if d governor is with tinubu, ganduje with Tinubu and majority of senate and HoA, then he's good to go and will allow kwankwaso to remain afloat but little relevance.
That's not d same with Rivers.
Wike is right now unequalled when it comes to power in Rivers and Tinubu won't like to hurt him especially nit after d role wike played openly during 2023 warmup and election.
So fubara will either continue to lick wike ass or he say bye to d ticket.

Even the president will not believe what you've just spilled. Powerful people in Kano you say? Abba, the members, senators and chairmen from Kano all won by associating with Kwankwaso and his party. Except there's a grand plan and existing agreement, the governor will not decamp without the blessings of his godfather.

While it's on a limited scale, Kwankwaso is one of the extremely few politicians in Nigeria that still enjoy organic, cult-like following. Let's see Abba and Co retain their seats without the Madugu himself.


For you to say Wike is unrivaled shows some form of delulu on your part. The same minister that has been issuing veiled threat and insisting on previous agreements being won.

Tinubu is careful of making him angry not because Wike has any strong executive power like before , but for the fact that he can play dirty politics and cause significant losses to the president in Rivers State should they betray him.

MartinCorridon:
Except fellow sissies.

Check EVERY "man" who follows Obi. They MUST be effeminate.

You are very correct bro

I don't get your last paragraph, Tinubu is not afraid of making Wike angry, who is Wike in front of Tinubu?
Who do you think can deliver Rivers votes to Tinubu today? Wike or Fubara?
When Tinubu will inform Wike who is not an APC member that the APC aka Tinubu has decided on Fubara for the 2nd term, all those House of Reps and Co who just decamped will tow the party line and leave Wike under the rain with the broken PDP 🌂.
If Wike make pim, that EFCC Eagle that has been acting blind will begin seeing Wike in 3D.
Tinubu is a master of the laws of power, Wike will not dare pick a fight with Tinubu.
For what it's worth, this is Wike’s last tenure as FCT Minister, whether Tinubu wins or not.
Wike was made FCT minister not because he delivered Rivers state, but because he was instrumental in getting Tinubu into power through the G5 group which rebelled against PDP.
Are Ikpeazu and Ugwanyi not ambassadors today?
Did you not hear Wike say that Makinde is angry because of a Ministerial slot?

Wike has been used like pampers, his political career was over the day Fubara decamped to APC.
Wike can never fight Tinubu.

Tinubu and the APC fear nothing in Nigeria now apart from the AtikuObi 2027 ticket, that's their only obstacle to win reelection, even if you dash APC the NNPP Kano votes, AtikuObi ticket under any party will win APC before midday on election day.

Saladdin:
Even the president will not believe what you've just spilled. Powerful people in Kano you say? Abba, the members, senators and chairmen from Kano all won by associating with Kwankwaso and his party. Except there's a grand plan and existing agreement, the governor will not decamp without the blessings of his godfather.

While it's on a limited scale, Kwankwaso is one of the extremely few politicians in Nigeria that still enjoy organic, cult-like following. Let's see Abba and Co retain their seats without the Madugu himself.


For you to say Wike is unrivaled shows some form of delulu on your part. The same minister that has been issuing veiled threat and insisting on previous agreements being won.

Tinubu is careful of making him angry not because Wike has any strong executive power like before , but for the fact that he can play dirty politics and cause significant losses to the president in Rivers State should they betray him.

LegendHero:
Obi is a sissy, he can’t command any man.

Over 6m Nigerian votes including jaganban Lagos in the bag already.

Is this not why you, all of you, from the Rock to the grooves of ogbomosho are sleepless at night and restless in the day?

For the past week, bulabans have been spreading rumors of kwankwanso and the governors defection to APC.

Now, they are back with another story.

Just watch how that bunch, fluid as ever, untrustworthy and fickle minded bunch hail governor Yusuf for going against his benefactor for doing or planning to do what Madam fubara did to Wike that earned the former their bulabalic bile.

Trust those bunch at your own peril.

Putindbutt:
So Kwankwaso wanted to give Fubara treatment to Gov Yusuf - the " no second term" treatment. Watch how Bitter Obidients give Kwankwaso a pass because he doesn't have a running battle with Gbajue. They forget that godfatherism is everywhere. Even PitaObi wanted to exert his influence over Obiano, but he rejected it, leading to a friction between the two of them.

Data boys looking for where to hide their shame after weeklong hopes and prophecy of kwankwanso decamping to haypeecee hit the rocks. Now you want to tell us another story.
I hope you all find peace with your makers to bear the disgrace Obidients dealt on the builder of Lagos in 2023 because come 2027, the blow would send the master tragedyist to the home to his ancestors.
Go and put your house in order!

Smaller parties will win in 2027. It's d people of Nigeria vs APC.

Gandollar:
Data boys looking for where to hide their shame after weeklong hopes and prophecy of kwankwanso decamping to haypeecee hit the rocks. Now you want to tell us another story.
I hope you all find peace with your makers to bear the disgrace Obidients dealt on the builder of Lagos in 2023 because come 2027, the blow would send the master tragedyist to the home to his ancestors.
Go and put your house in order!

The joke is on you. You didn't know Kwankwaso was already negotiating to join APC but his demands were too much.
The Church altars your Gbajue used as religion campaign in 2023 don cast.

GEJ once said, give human power and money you will know his true loyalty.

Hmmmmm, if he likes he should defect to APC, that is his business.

LegendHero:
You are very correct bro

Happy new year sir LegendHero

How is this our business?

Kukutente23:
News for zombies
We all know it is billions from special funds sent to private accounts that's luring opposition govs to APC
Thanks to Fayose for the exposure

so what's your point
You can be lured with gala ?

Saladdin:
Even the president will not believe what you've just spilled. Powerful people in Kano you say? Abba, the members, senators and chairmen from Kano all won by associating with Kwankwaso and his party. Except there's a grand plan and existing agreement, the governor will not decamp without the blessings of his godfather.

While it's on a limited scale, Kwankwaso is one of the extremely few politicians in Nigeria that still enjoy organic, cult-like following. Let's see Abba and Co retain their seats without the Madugu himself.


For you to say Wike is unrivaled shows some form of delulu on your part. The same minister that has been issuing veiled threat and insisting on previous agreements being won.

Tinubu is careful of making him angry not because Wike has any strong executive power like before , but for the fact that he can play dirty politics and cause significant losses to the president in Rivers State should they betray him.

if there's has to be careful then it means like isowerful abi you don't know what the word means

franvincoop:
I don't get your last paragraph, Tinubu is not afraid of making Wike angry, who is Wike in front of Tinubu?
Who do you think can deliver Rivers votes to Tinubu today? Wike or Fubara?
When Tinubu will inform Wike who is not an APC member that the APC aka Tinubu has decided on Fubara for the 2nd term, all those House of Reps and Co who just decamped will tow the party line and leave Wike under the rain with the broken PDP 🌂.
If Wike make pim, that EFCC Eagle that has been acting blind will begin seeing Wike in 3D.
Tinubu is a master of the laws of power, Wike will not dare pick a fight with Tinubu.
For what it's worth, this is Wike’s last tenure as FCT Minister, whether Tinubu wins or not.
Wike was made FCT minister not because he delivered Rivers state, but because he was instrumental in getting Tinubu into power through the G5 group which rebelled against PDP.
Are Ikpeazu and Ugwanyi not ambassadors today?
Did you not hear Wike say that Makinde is angry because of a Ministerial slot?

Wike has been used like pampers, his political career was over the day Fubara decamped to APC.
Wike can never fight Tinubu.

Tinubu and the APC fear nothing in Nigeria now apart from the AtikuObi 2027 ticket, that's their only obstacle to win reelection, even if you dash APC the NNPP Kano votes, AtikuObi ticket under any party will win APC before midday on election day.

But atiku obi ticket lost in 2019?

Cromagnon:
so what's your point
You can be lured with gala ?

Sebi na 30k dem take lure your sense