The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, was formally received into the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday by top-ranking party leaders, including a former National Chairman of the APC and ex-governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje.
Yusuf was welcomed at the Kano Government House by Ganduje; the Deputy President of the Senate and Senator representing Kano South, Barau Jibrin; the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Ata; as well as other senior APC stakeholders from across the state.
The high-profile reception marked Yusuf’s official return to the ruling party, coming days after his resignation from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) amid escalating internal crises within the party.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that 21 members of the Kano State House of Assembly had defected from the NNPP to the APC.
In a video seen by SaharaReporters, the lawmakers announced their defection, signalling a broader realignment within the state’s political structure ahead of Yusuf’s move.
SaharaReporters had also reported last Friday that the governor formally resigned his NNPP membership, alongside 21 members of the State Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives, and forty-four Local Government chairmen across Kano State.
Yusuf’s resignation was conveyed through a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Diso-Chiranchi Ward of the NNPP in Gwale Local Government Area, in which he outlined the reasons for his decision.
The letter had read: “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, with effect from Sunday, 25 January 2026.
“I remain sincerely appreciative of the opportunity given to me by the party, its leadership, and members across Kano State to be part of its political journey since 2022, as well as the support, goodwill, and cooperation extended to me during my time in the party.
“In recent times, the party has been confronted with persistent internal challenges arising from leadership disagreements and ongoing legal processes, many of which are presently before the courts for judicial determination.
“The growing disenfranchisement among party members has created deep divisions within the party structure, resulting in cracks that appear increasingly irreconcilable and have generated uncertainty at both state and national levels.
“After careful reflection, and without prejudice to the party’s capacity to resolve its internal challenges, I have come to the conclusion that my resignation is in the best interest of the people of Kano State.
“This decision is taken in good faith, without any ill will, and with a continued commitment to peace, unity, and the progress of Kano State.”
The governor’s reception by Ganduje and other APC leaders followed a series of visits to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where Yusuf met with President Bola Tinubu, fuelling speculation over ongoing political negotiations prior to his defection.
Last Monday afternoon, Yusuf was again seen at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, dressed in his signature white, babanriga and red Kwankwasiyya cap, as he made his way to the President’s office at about 4:13pm.
