₦airaland Forum

Rabiu Kwankwaso, national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has denied endorsing the rumoured defection of Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

There are growing speculations that Yusuf is finalising his defection from the NNPP to the APC.

On Tuesday night, reports swirled that Kwankwaso — who had previously opposed talks of NNPP members, including Yusuf, defecting to the APC — has reversed his position and endorsed their move.

But in a statement, Saifullahi Hassan, media aide to the former governor of Kano, described the reports as false, saying Kwankwaso remains “fully committed to the ideals, vision, and principles of the party”.

“We wish to state unequivocally that this report is false, misleading, and entirely without factual basis,” the statement reads.

"Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf was elected Governor of Kano State on the platform of the NNPP and remains a member of the party, with an obligation to uphold the mandate freely given to him by the people.

“At no time did Senator Kwankwaso endorse, support, or express approval of any alleged move by Governor Yusuf to the APC. Any report suggesting otherwise is a deliberate misrepresentation of facts and should be treated with utmost scepticism.

“We therefore urge members of the public, party supporters, and the media to disregard this misinformation and rely only on verified and credible sources for accurate information.”

https://www.thecable.ng/i-did-not-endorse-abba-yusufs-defection-to-apc-says-kwankwaso/

In a separate statement, Ladipo Johnson, NNPP spokesperson, also countered the reports.

NEW NIGERIA PEOPLE'S PARTY (NNPP)

NATIONAL SECRETARIAT, ABUJA

Tuesday JANUARY 13, 2026

POLITICAL DESPERADOS SEEKING TO FRAUDULENTLY MISREPRESENT A CLEAR AND UNAMBIGUOUS MESSAGE FROM SENATOR RABIU MUSA KWANKWASO...... NNPP

The NNPP has described the "breaking news" by Premium Times, that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in a sudden reversal of his well stated position on the issue of the defection of the Governor of Kano State from the NNPP to the APC, has endorsed the defection. This is as wicked a lie as it is clearly a shameful blatant falsehood by those who obviously have no moral compass and are completely devoid of any scruples.

In a statement issued this night in Abuja, the National Publicity Secretary of the NNPP, Ladipo Johnson, stated that it had become clear that those who are seeking to move from the party have "no self worth" if they feel that they have to misinform the public about Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso's position. Deliberately and mischievously twisting his words to fool the masses that he has endorsed their impending move is as pitifully childish as it can get.

"We would appreciate it if these people would simply move out of the party, if they choose to go. If you feel that you are going to greener pastures and have the support of the masses, then go. Do not attempt to fool the masses that you have the support or blessings of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso", the statement said.

Johnson concluded by stating that for the avoidance of doubt, the former Governor of Kano State has described the impending move by some of the members of the Kwankwasiyya and the NNPP, led by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, as a cold betrayal of trust and the mandate given to him and defended by the people of Kano State. He stated that the former Governor wants to diffuse the current political tension in the state and stated that those who are being arm twisted and forced to join the defection madness should feel free to go. By God's grace, the elections of 2027 would come and go, leaving those who chose the path of betrayal of trust with the verdict of the good people of Kano!

BAMOFIN LADIPO JOHNSON
NATIONAL PUBLICITY SECRETARY
(NNPP)

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18muDBbind/

Agbadorians, what do you people gain with propaganda?

Why are you manufacturing fake endorsements?

Kwankwaso your approval is not needed in the first place, one of your media aide post that rubbish.

Let me buy popcorn from the road side. It will be interesting. Anyway, never trust Kwankwaso.

It has always been the stock in trade of the APC: lies, falsehoods, and propaganda. They rode to power on deceit and continue to rule by it.

Propaganda, lies, and falsehood are not incidental to the Tinubu-led APC; they are its state policy.

These people relax and put their homes in order. Where did video that announced his endorsement come from?
At this point, only the direct words of Kwankwaso, where he speak to journalists should be reported as update on the matter and not the words of aides who are trying to out do themselves.

yarimo:
Kwankwaso your approval is not needed in the first place, one of your media aide post that rubbish.

Changing your mouth again 😀
Don’t you guys have a little shame? Spit

Does it even make sense,

Apc has ganduje his arch enemy

My own be say he should better stay where he is and not come to ADC, same with seyi makinde

Eheen. I for say

Chai! Where are Agbadorians and Tinubu's Nairaland resident lackeys? Come out o! Food don done. I won't lie, this is embarrassing. APC knows the governor's defection is not creating any momentum so they are desperate to fraudulently create one. This is why there's still no date for the proposed defection. Tinubu is still begging.

Cc: Seunmsg, Richtaiwo, NgeneUkwenu, etc.

Why is Tinubu desperate despite paying his way to have all the governors in APC?

Has he lost faith in his rigging machinery?

Truthissupreme:
Does it even make sense,

Apc has ganduje his arch enemy

My own be say he should better stay where he is and not come to ADC, same with seyi makinde

They will support the ADC without any conditions because now they both have an axe to grind with Tinubu. They will both be a "nice to have" for the ADC though. Not like the party is desperate to have them in order to win. Unlike the APC.

Flets:
Why is Tinubu desperate despite paying his way to have all the governors in APC?

Has he lost faith in his rigging machinery?

He knows what his Agbadorians don't. He currently has no pathway to re-election as at today, even with 36 state governors. We will all learn this politics together.

APC data boys will cry this night. Even Kwankwaso is aware of their propaganda

APC, especially under Tinubu is full of lies and deceit.

Agbado boys are very despirate and would publish any fake News 🗞️ just to massage the deflated ego of their agbado master and their fellow agbado members.

Agbadorians their preek will not stand erect tonight.
They will all suffer from erectile dysfunction because their fake News have been debunked .
How can a group of people decide to be posting fake News inorder to massage the ego of their agbado master?
Why can't they tell him the truth that "HE SUCKS"

After 24hrs na him u just dey clear ur self say na fake news.
De play. All na strategy

Seunmsg, bitter pill to swallow don land . It's obvious all the APC governors ain't enough. Tinubu wants all Nigerians as APC members 🤣😂😅

This local champion and his nuisance . friendship is not by FORCE. GOVERNOR ABBA. and his pipu should dump/return his USELESS CAP wey no gree them see FRONT

atobs4real:
After 24hrs na him u just dey clear ur self say na fake news.
De play. All na strategy

Premium times apologized due to Hausa misinterpretation.

At this point, Nigeria needs a law that criminalises interference in government business by past leaders and those who consider themselves influential in the state.

This is the only way to stop politicians thinking they own this country and will do whatever they like with it.

MaziObinnaokija:
This local champion and his nuisance . friendship is not by FORCE. GOVERNOR ABBA. and his pipu should dump/return his USELESS CAP wey no gree them see FRONT

You go wail tire, same cap that gave governor seat

Tinubu is a term president

Why are they so desperate?

Toor thought he's also reached agreement with the ruling party

Tinibu's only hope of winning the 2027 presidential election is to be buying governors and former political office holders the man doesn't have the confidence to meet ordinary nigerians for votes this tactics has really exposed him as a fake democrat.

They will go to ADC instead

iwaeda:
Let me buy popcorn from the road side. It will be interesting. Anyway, never trust Kwankwaso.

Gotocourt:
Seunmsg, bitter pill to swallow don land . It's obvious all the APC governors ain't enough. Tinubu wants all Nigerians as APC members 🤣😂😅

Even if all Nigerians defect to the APC, Tinubu will still lose because there will be serious anti-party. He's a one-term president.

Senator kwakwanso knows the journey the governor wants to embark on to leave his party for another well-known party won't be welcome by electorate. Governor Yusuf is doing well and he will continue to do well, senator kwakwanso is doing well and he will continue to do well.

Confusion in kwankasiya camp. It was your media aide that posted the news not opposition. This one should be after thought.

Na wa o. But I thought there was a video clip to that effect?

All these U-turn, S-turn, W-turn done dey tire me oo.