President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly resolved key political hurdles delaying Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf's long-anticipated switch from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), paving the way for a formal defection announcement in the coming days.
The breakthrough emerged following a three-hour closed-door meeting between President Tinubu and Governor Yusuf at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday.
Multiple sources familiar with the discussions confirmed that the talks addressed the governor's concerns, including assurances for his 2027 re-election bid, the security of his political structure, and the protection of his supporters within the APC.
A source close to the meeting stated: “He may announce it formally tomorrow (Tuesday) or a day after because everything has been resolved. The president wants him in the APC, and the governor also wants to align with the president.”
Governor Yusuf, who arrived at the Villa around 4:10 p.m. in a white babbar riga and red cap, departed shortly after 7:00 p.m.
He declined to comment to journalists beyond saying he “will be back.”Speculation about Yusuf's defection has intensified since late 2025, fueled by subtle signals of reconciliation with the APC-led federal government and open engagements by his aides with APC leaders in Kano and Abuja.
Recent weeks saw defections by some of his local government and ward-level supporters, though the governor had publicly remained silent.Insiders noted that earlier hesitation stemmed from uncertainty over firm commitments from APC leaders, particularly regarding an automatic ticket for 2027.
Monday's meeting with President Tinubu appears to have provided the necessary reassurances, with the president personally emphasizing Yusuf's strategic value to the APC in Kano and the North West zone, where the party faced setbacks in the 2023 elections.
The Kano State APC has welcomed the prospect, with State Secretary Ibrahim Zakari Sarina stating that arrangements are complete to receive the governor and other defectors once a date is set by the Presidency.
“We are happy. Any addition to our fold strengthens the party. The ultimate goal is to win elections,” Sarina said.
However, the move has strained relations with Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the NNPP national leader and Yusuf's longtime political benefactor.
Kwankwaso has withheld endorsement, warning against hasty defections without clear guarantees and insisting on resolutions to critical issues for himself and the Kwankwasiyya movement.
He has emphasized past experiences of marginalization in alliances and clarified that he has not ruled out joining the APC but requires firm assurances.
APC leaders in Kano have kept their distance from Kwankwaso, welcoming Yusuf while cautioning against internal crises.
Alhassan Ado Doguwa, a federal lawmaker, revealed in a viral video that President Tinubu directed a halt to the APC's electronic registration exercise in Kano to await Yusuf's formal entry, with the governor potentially unveiling it.
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