NNPP accuses Kano Gov Yusuf of disloyalty, rejects claim of party crisis

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has accused Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, of disloyalty following his resignation from the party, dismissing his claim of an irredeemable internal crisis as baseless and an afterthought.

The party’s position was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, in reaction to the governor’s decision to quit the NNPP and his expected defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Governor Yusuf’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, had on Friday announced the resignation, stating that the governor communicated his decision in a letter addressed to the NNPP chairperson of Diso-Chiranchi Ward in Gwale Local Government Area, with effect from January 23, 2026.

“I write with a deep sense of gratitude to formally notify the leadership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) of my decision to resign my membership of the party,” the governor was quoted as saying.

Reacting, the NNPP said it received the news with “profound anguish and deep disappointment,” describing Yusuf’s exit as a betrayal of the trust reposed in him by the people of Kano State under the platform of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.

“We deeply regret that Governor Abba, a man entrusted by the people of Kano State on the strength of his long-standing loyalty and service, has chosen to betray that sacred trust,” the party said, warning that his action could return the state to forces opposed to its progress.

The NNPP rejected Yusuf’s claim of a crisis within the party, noting that it recently conducted congresses from the ward level to the national convention on December 20, 2025, under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with the governor in attendance. It also cited its victory in two supplementary House of Assembly elections held in August 2025 as evidence of party stability.

Drawing historical parallels, the party recalled the defection of former Kano State governor, Abubakar Rimi, in the early 1980s, noting that despite mass defections at the time, the electorate eventually rejected what it described as political betrayal.

While condemning Yusuf’s decision, the NNPP urged Kano residents and over one million voters who supported the governor in the last election to remain calm and peaceful, insisting that loyalty to principled leadership would ultimately prevail.