Kano Governor Yusuf Announces Fresh Appointments 48 Hours After APC Defection
In a significant political development, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has approved a fresh round of appointments and promotions across key government agencies, barely 48 hours after his high-profile defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This move underscores the governor's commitment to maintaining governance momentum amid major political realignments in the state.
Strategic Appointments Across Critical Sectors
The newly approved appointments span several vital sectors of Kano State's administration, including water resources, road maintenance, education, and environmental management. Governor Yusuf's spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, confirmed these developments in an official statement issued on Wednesday, highlighting the administration's focus on strengthening institutional capacity and improving service delivery.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf officially rejoined the APC on Monday, January 26, 2026, following his resignation from the NNPP just three days earlier on Friday, January 23. This transition comes less than three years after he won the Kano governorship election on the NNPP platform, marking a dramatic shift in the state's political landscape.
New Special Advisers Appointed
Among the notable appointments is Hon. Abdulkadir Balarabe Kankarofi (Alhajiji), who has been named Special Adviser on Humanitarian Affairs in the Office of the Executive Governor. Kankarofi previously served as Senior Special Assistant on Protocol I to the governor before his elevation to this new advisory role.
Additionally, Hajia Aisha Tamburawa has been appointed as Special Adviser to the Governor on Positive Propaganda. Before assuming this new position, Tamburawa served as a Supervisory Councillor in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area, bringing local government experience to the governor's office.
Key Promotions in Technical Agencies
In the water resources sector, Engr. Mukhtar Yusuf has been promoted to Managing Director of the Water Resources Engineering and Construction Agency (WRECA). He previously served as the agency's Deputy Managing Director and is expected to bring continuity and technical expertise to his new leadership role.
Similarly, Zakari Usman Balan has been appointed as the new Deputy Managing Director of WRECA, completing the agency's leadership restructuring. In another significant promotion, Engr. Abba Kankarofi has been elevated to Managing Director of the Kano Road and Maintenance Agency (KARMA) from his former position as Deputy Managing Director of the agency.
Education and Environmental Leadership Changes
Governor Yusuf also approved the appointment of Dr. Mukhtar Bello Maisudan as the new Executive Secretary of the Kano State Scholarship Board. Dr. Maisudan, a senior lecturer at Bayero University, Kano, brings substantial academic and administrative experience to this critical education funding body.
In the environmental sector, Hon. Musayyib Kawu Ungoggo has been appointed as Managing Director of the Kano Zoological Garden. Ungoggo has previously served in several political capacities, including as a councillor and Senior Special Reporter, and will now oversee the state's premier zoological facility.
Governor's Charge to New Appointees
Governor Yusuf has charged all newly appointed and promoted officials to justify the confidence reposed in them through dedication, transparency, and commitment to the people of Kano State. He reiterated that his administration remains focused on strengthening public institutions and delivering people-oriented governance in line with the objectives of the Kano First Agenda.
The fresh appointments come amid ongoing political realignments in Kano following Governor Yusuf's return to the ruling APC. This strategic move has continued to reshape the state's political landscape, with implications for both state and national politics. The Kano state government has defended the governor's defection, explaining that it was intended to align the state with the federal government for greater access to support and interventions.
Kabiru Dakata, Director General of the Kano State Signage and Advertising Agency, emphasized this point while speaking on Channels Television, dismissing claims that Governor Yusuf's defection was driven by personal ambition rather than strategic governance considerations. These appointments demonstrate the governor's determination to maintain administrative continuity despite the significant political transition.
