The leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, on Wednesday, accused Kano State Government of Governor Abba Yusuf of forcing state officials and elected local government chairmen to sign documents indicating their defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party to the All Progressives Congress.
But in a swift reaction, Kano State Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Waiya, dismissed the allegation, saying participation in the defection plan is entirely voluntary.
Speaking to The PUNCH on Wednesday, Waiya said, “What exactly happened is that our party is asking everybody—not only government officials—who are willingly ready to join APC to do so. But nobody is being compelled, contrary to what has been reported.”
Kwankwaso, in a post on Wednesday on his verified social media platforms, describing reports reaching him on the issue as deeply disturbing.
“I have received several reports—some good and some very terrible—indicating that the Kano State Government is compelling state officials and elected local government chairmen to sign documents either in support of Gandujiyya or Kwankwasiyya,” he alleged.
He described the development as disheartening, saying it was unfortunate for any government to resort to such actions.
“Our supporters should not take this lightly. It is very disturbing that a government would go so low,” Kwankwaso said.
He, however, advised affected local government chairmen and councillors to comply if necessary to avoid victimisation.
“Since it has reached this level, those being forced to sign the document may go ahead and do so in order not to be victimised by the government,” he added.
Kwankwaso also thanked supporters of the Kwankwasiyya movement for what he described as their steadfastness and continued loyalty.
The allegation comes amid sustained rumours that Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, may defect from the NNPP to the APC ahead of the next general elections.
Yusuf was elected in 2023 on the NNPP platform and is widely regarded as a political protégé of Kwankwaso.
The speculation has reportedly strained relations between both men and heightened political tension within the ruling party in the state.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Gwarzo, has reaffirmed his loyalty to Kwankwaso amid the growing uncertainty.
PUNCH gathered that Gwarzo, who returned to Nigeria on Tuesday night after performing the lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia, paid a visit to Kwankwaso at his Miller Road residence in Kano shortly after his arrival.
Sources close to the deputy governor said the visit was aimed at reassuring Kwankwaso of his continued allegiance to the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya political movement.
“One of the key reasons for the visit was to personally reaffirm the deputy governor’s loyalty and commitment to the party and its ideology,” a party source said.
Further findings by The PUNCH revealed that other senior party figures, including the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Yusuf Kofar Mata; the Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Governor, Sunusi Surajo Kwankwaso; and the factional chairman of the NNPP in Kano State, Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, have also pledged support for Kwankwaso.
A senior NNPP official said, “This is a clear message that key figures within the government and the party remain firmly with Kwankwaso despite the ongoing defection speculation.”
Although Governor Yusuf has not publicly confirmed any plan to defect, analysts say the sustained rumours have exposed deepening divisions within the NNPP, with rival factions intensifying consultations ahead of possible political realignments.
As the situation unfolds, Kano’s political atmosphere remains tense, with party loyalists closely watching the next moves of both the governor and his former political mentor.
