Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement and national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has taken a sharp, mocking swipe at his political protégé, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, amid persistent rumors of the governor's planned defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a viral video circulating on social media today, Kwankwaso addressed supporters and appeared to reference unverified allegations that Governor Yusuf is being offered up to ₦250 billion as an inducement to switch parties ahead of the 2027 elections.
"I want to remind you that I deserve a share of the billions you stand to gain after defecting to the ruling party, for it was me who delivered the election for you in 2023," Kwankwaso said sarcastically, before adding: "If they collect the billions to come here, settle their debt before they move to APC."
The remark implies that any financial windfall from a defection should first be used to clear alleged obligations to the Kwankwasiyya movement or NNPP before joining the APC.
The statement escalates an already tense public rift between the two leaders, which has dominated Kano politics in recent weeks. Kwankwaso has repeatedly expressed opposition to any defection, calling it a potential betrayal of the NNPP mandate that brought Yusuf to power in 2023.
He has also boasted that he and his loyalists are "priceless" and cannot be swayed by money.Sources close to the state government have described Yusuf's rumored move as "irreversible," citing federal pressure and internal NNPP crises.
However, former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau has defended Yusuf, arguing that defection is a personal political choice and pointing out that Kwankwaso himself switched parties multiple times in the past without vacating office.
The ₦250 billion figure remains unconfirmed and is widely seen as exaggerated political gossip, though it has fueled online discussions and speculation about behind-the-scenes negotiations involving APC leaders in Kano, including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
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