Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on Monday met with President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja, fueling fresh political speculation.
The governor arrived at the President’s office at about 4:13 p.m. and spent more than three hours behind closed doors. He, however, declined to speak with State House correspondents when he emerged, offering no details on the purpose of the visit.
The meeting comes amid growing reports of a possible defection by Governor Yusuf from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Kano’s political landscape has recently been marked by heightened tension following speculation about the governor’s alleged plans to leave the NNPP, a move strongly opposed by the party’s leadership and its national leader, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The reports have triggered internal disagreements within the NNPP, particularly between supporters of Governor Yusuf and loyalists of the Kwankwasiyya Movement founded by Kwankwaso.
In a statement issued in December 2025 on behalf of the NNPP at both the state and national levels, the party said it was fully aware of the unfolding political situation and does not support any defection to the APC.
“We are aware of the developments happening here in Kano State concerning some individuals who intend to defect to the APC,” the NNPP Kano State Chairman, Hon. Hashim Suleiman Dungurawa, said.
He stressed that the state party, the national leadership and Senator Kwankwaso do not approve of such moves, adding that efforts were made to persuade those involved to remain within the party.
“We did everything within our power to persuade them to be patient and not defect to the APC, because of our responsibility to them and our responsibility to the people of Kano,” Dungurawa stated.
Also speaking in December, Kwankwaso warned party members against defection, saying political betrayal has never led to lasting success.
In a viral video shared from a meeting with his supporters, Kwankwaso said he was not surprised by the alleged moves, noting that history offers clear lessons to politicians who abandon their political base.
“I want to remind those who left us that nobody has betrayed us and succeeded,” he said. “Political history is very clear on this matter.”
Kwankwaso insisted that defections would not weaken the NNPP, arguing that the party’s strength lies in popular support rather than individual office holders.
“I am not disturbed by these developments. What matters most is the support of the masses, not the movement of a few politicians who are chasing personal interests,” he added.
He also pointed to the large turnout of supporters at the gathering as evidence that the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya Movement remain strong and firmly rooted across Kano State.
Despite the growing speculation, Kwankwaso maintained that the NNPP remains committed to its core principles and will continue to provide a platform for progressive politics in Kano and beyond.