The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Labour Party have strongly criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the defection of the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling party, insisting that the development will not alter the political reality ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Reacting to the governor’s decision to join the APC on Monday, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Ini Ememobong, and his ADC counterpart, Bolaji Abdullahi, said in separate interviews that the defection reflects moral failure rather than political strength, stressing that moves driven by self-interest would not translate into votes for the ruling party.
Also, the Interim National Chairman of the faction, Senator Nenadi Usman, warned against confusing elite defections with widespread popular support, emphasising that opposition parties will continue to play a significant role ahead of the upcoming elections.
Meanwhile, the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, welcomed the Kano State governor into the party, describing the defection as a boost for the APC and a validation of its commitment to delivering democracy’s dividends to Nigerians.
Despite the support of a former Kano State governor and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Governor Yusuf announced his resignation from the NNPP on Friday, following weeks of speculation and rising political tension in the state.
Speaking on Yusuf’s resignation, the NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Oladipo Johnson, in a statement on Friday, described the move as a betrayal of the Kano electorate and a blow to the Kwankwasiyya Movement that the governor once led.
He added that history shows that those who trade loyalty for convenience and integrity for deception rarely escape the judgment of the people.
NNPP stated, “We deeply regret that Governor Abba, a man entrusted by the people of Kano State on the strength of his decades of unwavering loyalty and dedicated service to the Kwankwasiyya Movement, has now chosen to betray that sacred trust. By this action, he risks returning the state to the very forces that have long opposed its progress and the aspirations of its people.
“It is noteworthy that our party, the NNPP, had recently conducted congresses for its leadership from the ward to the national convention, held on 20th December 2025, which the governor himself was present at, and INEC had supervised. The party had also participated in and won two supplementary elections for Bagwai/Shanono and Ghari/Tsanyawa constituencies, respectively held in August 2025, about three months ago. The assertion he made of an irredeemable crisis in the party is therefore baseless and an afterthought.
“This is not the first time such a betrayal has occurred in the political history of Kano. In the early 1980s, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi defected from the People’s Redemption Party to the Nigerian People’s Party, taking with him the vast majority of elected officials—including nearly all local government chairmen and councillors, 120 out of 126 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, and most Kano representatives in the National Assembly.
“Yet, the electorate delivered a resounding verdict: In the 1983 gubernatorial election, Rimi was humiliatingly defeated by Mallam Aliyu Sabo Bakin Zuwo of the PRP, finishing second. Even more telling, of the 120 state assembly members who joined Rimi’s defection, only one was re-elected—an outcome that should serve as a sobering lesson to any politician contemplating the path of disloyalty.”
The party called on its members and the people of Kano State to remain calm and avoid discord, emphasising that the loyalty of Kano’s citizens to principled leadership will ultimately triumph.
Despite objections from the NNPP, Yusuf is scheduled to officially join the APC today, marking a major shift in the political landscape of Kano State, the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Tofa, confirmed in a statement released on Sunday.
The statement highlighted that Governor Yusuf initially joined the APC in 2014 to contest the party’s primary for the Kano Central Senatorial seat, a position he yielded to Kwankwaso.
The Kano State governor is set to officially register as a member of the APC in Kano, alongside 22 members of the State House of Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives, and all 44 local government chairmen.
He is also expected to inaugurate the APC’s e-registration exercise in the state.
Speaking on the significance of the registration exercise, Yusuf stated, “This is not just a political move; it is a step to ensure that governance remains people-centred and that our developmental agenda reaches every corner of Kano State.”
On the broader implications of his return, he added, “Our focus is on building unity, strengthening political cooperation, and ensuring that the people benefit from effective governance, irrespective of party affiliations.”
Reflecting on his earlier years in the APC, the governor remarked, “I am returning to a party I know, a platform where experience meets structure, and where we can collectively pursue progress for Kano State.”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Labour Party have strongly criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the defection of the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling party, insisting that the development will not alter the political reality ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The ADC publicity secretary stated that governors defecting to the APC are seeking personal protection rather than serving the people, adding that failed governors will not be able to deliver their states to the party in the 2027 elections.
Abdullahi stated, “Well, obviously, we do not doubt that he is joining for the same reason other governors have joined: to seek protection. They all know that the easiest way to secure a second term is by joining the ruling party. They believe that is where they will get a free ride into a second term.
‘’They also believe they are answering the call of the APC—that whoever joins their party, no matter how sinful he is, will have his sins forgiven. That is why they are joining. They are not joining because they believe what the ruling party is doing to their people is right, or because they care about the people. They do not care about the people; they only care about themselves. So we are not surprised.
“It is not an advantage for APC, because when governors defect, some of them have already failed their people. And joining the ruling party does not mean the people are joining them. We have evidence of this from the last election. In Delta State, the governor belonged to one party, yet another party won the election. The same thing happened in Edo, and the same in Lagos, as a matter of fact. So, the situation is not as bad as it is being portrayed. We do not see this as any real advantage for the ruling party.
“If elections are conducted freely and fairly in any of these states, most of these governors will realise that their approval ratings among their people are actually below 20 per cent. They know exactly why they are doing what they are doing. So even within the APC, defeat awaits them all, because of the zero performance of the governors and President Bola Tinubu.”
On her part, the LP Interim National Chairman, Usman, said the movement of political office holders did not automatically translate to electoral dominance.
“I would reply by giving you a proverb in Hausa that says, just because all the governors have trooped to one side does not really mean that you should conclude that the opposition is not going to have any impact come 2027. I don’t really look at it like that,” she said.
She also expressed uncertainty over the motivations driving opposition governors to abandon their political platforms for the ruling party.
“Honestly, I don’t know what is making them flock to the APC. We hear a lot of news around. We hear stories of people who say that if you join the APC, your sins are forgiven. So, it could be that, I don’t know,” Usman added.
In a response, the APC Director of Publicity dismissed the opposition’s claims, while welcoming Yusuf and other returning members, noting that the defections reflect widespread acceptance of the party’s principles.
Ibrahim stated, “The party is looking forward to his arrival. After all, he was once a member of the APC before defecting to another party, the NNPP, so this move is more like a homecoming. While the party awaits his formal registration, it is expected that the national leadership will take a position once he officially joins.
“The more people who join, the better, especially when they are committed democrats, because the APC aims to continue to strengthen democracy, make it more vibrant, and deliver greater democratic dividends to the people. An increase in participation, support base, and membership reflects positively on the party, showing that its principles, policies, and programs are being welcomed by Nigerians. That is why these leaders are joining.
“As for claims from the PDP, ADC, LP and NNPP, including statements about Governor Yusuf and other defecting governors, that Nigerians will work with opposition parties to remove the APC in 2027, such wishes are simply speculation. While wishful thinking is allowed in a free society, it does not necessarily reflect the will of the majority. Given the way the APC continues to be embraced, the idea of a coalition ganging up to unseat the party remains a dream that will not come true.”
The PUNCH