A fresh political crisis has erupted in Kano State following allegations by Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, that the state government is compelling public officials and local government chairmen to defect from the New Nigeria People’s Party to the All Progressives Congress.
Kwankwaso, who made the accusation on Wednesday through his verified social media handles, described the development as “deeply disturbing” and urged his supporters to treat the matter seriously.
“I have received several reports—some good and some very terrible—indicating that the Kano State Government is compelling state officials and elected local government chairmen to sign documents either in support of Gandujiyya or Kwankwasiyya,” the former governor stated.
He expressed disappointment that any administration would engage in such conduct, adding: “Our supporters should not take this lightly. It is very disturbing that a government would go so low.”
However, the NNPP chieftain counselled affected council chairmen and councillors to comply with the directive if it would shield them from government persecution.
“Since it has reached this level, those being forced to sign the document may go ahead and do so in order not to be victimised by the government,” Kwankwaso advised.
But the Kano State Government has dismissed the allegation as false. The Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Waiya, told journalists that participation in the defection exercise was purely voluntary.
“What exactly happened is that our party is asking everybody—not only government officials—who are willingly ready to join APC to do so. But nobody is being compelled, contrary to what has been reported,” Waiya clarified.
The accusation comes against the backdrop of persistent speculation that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf may abandon the NNPP for the APC before the next general elections.
Yusuf, who won the 2023 governorship election on the NNPP ticket, is considered a political mentee of Kwankwaso.
The rumoured defection has reportedly created a rift between the governor and his erstwhile political godfather, fuelling anxiety within party ranks.
In what appears to be a move to reassure Kwankwaso of his loyalty, Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo visited the senator at his Miller Road residence shortly after returning from Umrah in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday night.
Party sources disclosed that the visit was intended to reaffirm Gwarzo’s commitment to the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya ideology.
“One of the key reasons for the visit was to personally reaffirm the deputy governor’s loyalty and commitment to the party and its ideology,” an NNPP insider revealed.
Other prominent government and party officials, including the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Yusuf Kofar Mata; Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Sunusi Surajo Kwankwaso; and factional NNPP state chairman, Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, have similarly declared their allegiance to Kwankwaso.
A senior party official said the show of support sent a clear signal that key figures in the administration remain solidly behind Kwankwaso despite the defection rumours.
While Governor Yusuf has yet to publicly address the speculation, political observers say the controversy has laid bare growing divisions within the NNPP, with competing factions reportedly holding consultations ahead of possible realignments.