₦airaland Forum

The news dropped like a thunderclap on Friday, January 23, 2026.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has officially resigned from the New Nigeria People's Party. But he did not walk alone. 21 members of the State Assembly followed him. 8 members of the House of Representatives joined the exodus. 44 Local Government Chairmen completed the mass departure.

In one letter, the NNPP lost its most prized possession. Kano State, the crown jewel that gave the party national relevance, just slipped through their fingers.

The Letter That Changed Everything

In his resignation letter addressed to his ward chairman in Gwale Local Government, Governor Yusuf spoke of gratitude and goodwill. He thanked the party for the opportunity given to him since 2022. He acknowledged the support he received during his political journey.

Then came the real reason.

The governor cited persistent internal challenges arising from leadership disagreements. He mentioned deep divisions within the party structure. He described cracks that appear increasingly irreconcilable.

Anyone who has followed Kano politics knows exactly what those diplomatic words mean. The cold war between Abba Yusuf and his political godfather Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has finally turned hot. And Abba just chose himself over the man who made him.

A Godfather Scorned

The story of Abba Yusuf cannot be told without Kwankwaso. The former Kano governor built NNPP from the ground up. He turned it into a political machine capable of winning the second largest state in Nigeria. He handpicked Abba as his candidate, funded his campaign, and delivered him to the Government House.

In return, Kwankwaso expected what all Nigerian godfathers expect. Loyalty. Consultation. Control.

But governors have a way of outgrowing their makers. The same ambition that makes a man attractive as a candidate makes him restless as an officeholder. Abba began making moves without Kwankwaso's blessing. Appointments happened without phone calls. Decisions were taken without permission.

The godfather felt disrespected. The godson felt suffocated. What began as whispers became public embarrassment. Two men who once shared stages could no longer share a party.

Where Does Abba Go From Here

The question on everyone's mind is simple. Where is Governor Yusuf heading next?

All signs point to the All Progressives Congress. And that means all signs point to President Bola Tinubu.

This is not accident. This is strategy.

Tinubu understands that 2027 will be difficult. His government has struggled with public perception. The economy has punished ordinary Nigerians. His popularity is nothing like it was when he campaigned in 2022 and 2023.

But Tinubu is a survivor. He knows that elections are not won on popularity alone. They are won on structure, on numbers, on alliances.

Kano is the second largest voting state in Nigeria. Whoever controls Kano controls a significant chunk of the electoral map. In one stroke, Tinubu may have just acquired that control without spending a single bullet. He simply waited for the godfather and godson to tear each other apart, then welcomed the survivor.

Kwankwaso's Loss

For Rabiu Kwankwaso, this is a devastating blow.

The man had presidential ambitions. He ran in 2023 and planned to run again in 2027. His entire strategy depended on keeping Kano locked down as his base. He needed a loyal governor delivering the state for his campaign.

Now he has neither governor nor party structure in Kano. The edifice he built over decades just crumbled in a single afternoon. His godson took everything and walked away.

This is the risk every Nigerian godfather takes. You raise a man to power, and that same man becomes powerful enough to destroy you. Kwankwaso pushed for control. Abba pushed back. Only one of them could survive.

The 2027 Implications

Connect the dots and the picture becomes clear.

Tinubu is assembling a coalition designed to win 2027 regardless of public sentiment. He is pulling opposition figures into his tent one by one. Governor Yusuf is the latest acquisition. He will not be the last.

Meanwhile, the opposition fragments further. PDP remains a shell of its former self. NNPP just lost its reason for existence. Labour Party fights its own internal battles.

The path to 2027 just got easier for the incumbent. Not because Nigerians love him more, but because his opponents keep destroying themselves.

The Bottom Line

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf resigned from NNPP on January 23, 2026. He took 74 politicians with him. He left his godfather with nothing but regret.

Somewhere in Abuja, Tinubu is smiling. Somewhere else, Kwankwaso is counting his losses. And across Nigeria, political observers are watching the 2027 map shift in real time.

One resignation letter just changed everything.


Source https://avalanchemediablog.com/article.html?slug=kano-governor-abba-yusuf-resigns-from-nnpp-takes-74-politicians-with-him

Some governors are making political mistakes by joining Apc

Daguccizgreat:
Some governors are making political mistakes by joining Apc

Kwankwaso is now totally in control of Kano without making any concessions to Tinubu. Abba Kabir is Kwankwaso's in-law. He's only defecting to neutralize Ganduje and Barau's ambitions. If you know, you know.

What we witnessed today in Kano is simple: which is TRUST AND CONNECTION.🥹

Kwankwaso and the masses understand each other and that understanding is why the streets were filled and the energy was real.

Kwankwaso National Network 🔴🛜 pic.twitter.com/AHHbR4JGl8

— Kwankwaso National Network (@knn2027_) January 23, 2026

Yusuf effectively shut down any billions of naira that would've been spent against him in Kano, he's now in control of it, and will use it for his re-election. This will not benefit Tilumbu at all, Kano will support APC as governor, and Kwankwaso as President in NNPP or VP in ADC.

Time will tell

AMINDA:
Kwankwaso is now totally in control of Kano without making any concessions to Tinubu. Abba Kabir is Kwankwaso's in-law. He's only defecting to neutralize Ganduje and Barau's ambitions. If you know, you know.

What we witnessed today in Kano is simple: which is TRUST AND CONNECTION.🥹

Kwankwaso and the masses understand each other and that understanding is why the streets were filled and the energy was real.

Kwankwaso National Network 🔴🛜 pic.twitter.com/AHHbR4JGl8

— Kwankwaso National Network (@knn2027_) January 23, 2026

You may be right after all

Daguccizgreat:
Some governors are making political mistakes by joining Apc

Would have been a big fish if he joined ADC abi?

Going forward, the colour of his cap will change.

Daguccizgreat:
You may be right after all

We will all learn politics together.

I don't see Tinubu beyond 2027.

givedemwotowoto:
Yusuf effectively shut down any billions of naira that would've been spent against him in Kano, he's now in control of it, and will use it for his re-election. This will not benefit Tilumbu at all, Kano will support APC as governor, and Kwankwaso as President in NNPP or VP in ADC.

U couldn’t even hide your pain?

Imagine the nonsense that u exclaimed.

meum:
Going forward, the colour of his cap will change.

Same red hat, new logo.

Burob:
U couldn’t even hide your pain?

Imagine the nonsense that u exclaimed.

I stated a fact.

Sanwo Olu was governor of Lagos when Peter Obi gave Tilumbu "red eye" in Lagos. Dispute that

It will happen in Kano this time.

Daguccizgreat:
Some governors are making political mistakes by joining Apc

Hypocrisy @ work, same people that are hailing Fubara because he joined the APC to spite, Wike, are complaining here about Abba Yusuf joining the APC train?

givedemwotowoto:
I stated a fact.

Sanwo Olu was governor of Lagos when Peter Obi gave Tilumbu "red eye" in Lagos. Dispute that

It will happen in Kano this time.

He doesn’t need to win Kano, he just needs to come 2nd. Kwakwanso 1st, Tinubu 2nd, Atiku 3rd, Obi 4th.

Obi won Lagos State big deal, na Tinubu dey inside Aso Rock.

If u offered Gringory Obi in 2023 lose the whole east & Lagos state to enter Aso Rock will he hesitate?

U will still weep in 2027 guaranteed.

Burob:
Hypocrisy @ work, same people that are hailing Fubara because he joined the APC to spite, Wike, are complaining here about Abba Yusuf joining the APC train?

You have little or no knowledge about what am talking about so swerve

Daguccizgreat:
You have little or no knowledge about what am talking about so swerve

Of course, even a hypocrite in his hypocrisy, is not aware of what he is talking about.

He states what fits the narrative of the hypocrisy that he is exhibiting in the instance.

Burob:
He doesn’t need to win Kano, he just needs to come 2nd. Kwakwanso 1st, Tinubu 2nd, Atiku 3rd, Obi 4th.

Obi won Lagos State big deal, na Tinubu dey inside Aso Rock.

If u offered Gringory Obi in 2023 lose the whole east & Lagos state to enter Aso Rock will he hesitate?

U will still weep in 2027 guaranteed.

Who among you did this? it's not funny at all

Burob:
Of course, even a hypocrite in his hypocrisy, is not aware of what he is talking about.

He states what fits the narrative of the hypocrisy that he is exhibiting in the instance.

You just perfectly described your self zombie