Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has formally resigned from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), a move that marks a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections and signals deepening divisions within the party’s ranks.
In a resignation letter dated January 23, addressed to the NNPP Diso-Chiranchi Ward Chairman in Gwale Local Government Area, Yusuf expressed gratitude for the platform and support extended to him since he joined the party in 2022. He said, however, that persistent internal crises and unresolved leadership disputes had weakened the party’s cohesion at both state and national levels.
The governor’s exit was not solitary. Along with Yusuf, 21 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives and 44 Local Government Chairmen also tendered their resignations from the NNPP, underscoring the scale of the political shift in the state.
Governor Yusuf described his decision as being in the “best interest of the people of Kano State”, emphasising that it was taken after “careful reflection” and “in good faith”. He reiterated his commitment to peace, unity and the development of the state despite leaving the party.
Political analysts say the move could reshape Kano’s political landscape and accelerate realignments ahead of 2027, with widespread speculation that Yusuf and his supporters may soon join the All Progressives Congress (APC). His recent closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja stoked those speculation further.
The NNPP, which gained prominence in Kano through the Kwankwasiyya movement, faces renewed internal debates over leadership and electoral strategy following Yusuf’s departure. Party insiders and grassroots members have reacted with a mix of responses, ranging from assurances that the party remains viable to warnings of deeper fragmentation ahead of key elections.
