In a dramatic move to ease political tensions, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has instructed his loyalists in Kano State to comply with alleged pressure to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Kwankwaso's Shocking Directive to Loyalists
The former Kano governor issued this directive in a Hausa-language video on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. He stated that his decision was made "to diffuse" the current political strain and protect the well-being of his followers. Kwankwaso revealed that many appointees and state assembly members had contacted him in distress, with some reportedly hospitalised due to the stress of being coerced to abandon the NNPP.
"After consulting closely with my associates, we agreed, purely in the interest of easing tension and protecting the well-being of our supporters, that anyone who is asked to sign such documents should do so," Kwankwaso was quoted as saying. He emphasised that this permission was given so that those being "arm-twisted and forced to join the defection wave should feel free to go."
Alleged Intimidation and a Widening Rift
Kwankwaso, 69, accused the Kano state government led by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of introducing a system of intimidation. He claimed that local government chairmen, councillors, and other public office holders were given forms to declare allegiance to either the Kwankwasiyya faction or the Gandujiyya faction loyal to former governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
This development confirms a significant rift within the NNPP, which currently governs only Kano State. The party also holds a majority in the state's House of Assembly. Kwankwaso expressed deep dissatisfaction, recalling past betrayals but noting the overwhelming public support his movement received in the 2019 and 2023 elections.
Broader Political Implications for 2027
The situation in Kano is not isolated. It reflects a national trend where politicians from opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in states like Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Delta, are defecting to the APC. This has sparked concerns about Nigeria's political landscape shifting towards a one-party system.
Furthermore, reports indicate that loyalists of Kwankwaso have begun to distance themselves from Governor Abba Yusuf, especially as rumours swirl about the governor's own potential defection to the APC. Kwankwaso's latest move is a strategic attempt to manage this internal crisis and maintain a degree of control, even as he allows pressured members to leave.
By advising compliance, Kwankwaso aims to shield his supporters from immediate hardship while positioning himself and his core faction for the looming political battles of the 2027 general elections. The episode underscores the intense pressure and high stakes in Kano, a key political battleground in Nigerian politics.
