Former presidential candidate and leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has predicted that Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf will regret dumping the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Yusuf on Monday announced his defection from the NNPP to the APC alongside several members of the Kano State House of Assembly and the National Assembly. He cited internal party crisis and the need to align with the federal government as reasons for the move.
However, speaking during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service on Wednesday, Kwankwaso dismissed Yusuf’s justification, describing the defection as shocking and painful.
“Many people I spoke to felt it was some kind of arrangement—between him and me, or between him and others. I also feel like it is a dream. I wake up in the middle of the night hoping that it is not true. But reality has struck us in the face,” Kwankwaso said.
The NNPP leader expressed disappointment that Yusuf, in his view, had handed over the mandate given by NNPP supporters and Kano voters to what he described as the “Gandujiyya political camp” without convincing reasons.
“Sometimes I sit back, reflect, and ask myself: what really happened? Who was at fault? Was it me? Was it the party? Were party members at fault? But I have not been able to find an answer,” he added.
‘No Party Is Free From Crisis’
Responding to claims of internal crisis within the NNPP, Kwankwaso insisted disagreements are normal in political parties and could have been resolved through dialogue.
“I can assure you, to the best of my knowledge, there is no party more peaceful and stable than the NNPP,” he said, adding that disputes often emerge during conventions and candidate selection processes across parties.
Red Cap Controversy
Kwankwaso also addressed the decision of some defectors to the APC who reportedly vowed to continue wearing the symbolic red caps associated with the Kwankwassiya movement.
“Light and darkness have already been defined in Kano. If you want to practise Kwankwasiyya, who asked you to leave Kwankwasiyya? Stay where Kwankwasiyya is and practise it there,” he said.
Kwankwaso Dismisses Ganduje’s Influence
The former Kano governor further questioned the political strength of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, former Kano State governor and APC national chairman, arguing that he lacks the ability to deliver electoral victories.
“If Ganduje truly had the power to raise someone’s hand to victory, he would have done so in 2019. If he had that power, he would have done so in 2023,” Kwankwaso said.
He maintained that Yusuf and his allies would face serious challenges within the APC and insisted the governor would come to regret his decision.
“Even if he does not return, he will regret it,” he added.
