The Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, has officially rejoined the All Progressives Congress.

Yusuf defected to the ruling party on Monday at the Coronation Hall of the Kano Government House.

He was received into the party by former National Chairman of the APC and ex-Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje; the Deputy President of the Senate; the Senator representing Kano South, Senator Barau Jibrin; the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Ata; and other party leaders.

The governor said his return to the APC was anchored on the need to work more closely with the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.

Recall that Yusuf, who was elected on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party in 2023, reigned from the party alongside several members of the Kano State House of Assembly and the House of Representatives.

More to come…

Twenty-one members of the Kano State House of Assembly have officially defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmakers announced their defection on Monday, days after Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano, formally resigned from the NNPP.

The resignation came days after Yusuf met with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

In a letter addressed to the chairman of Diso-Chiranchi ward in Gwale LGA of Kano, the governor cited “deepening internal crises” and “prolonged leadership disputes” as key reasons for his exit.

Yusuf resigned alongside the 21 members of the Kano State Assembly, 8 members of the House of Representatives, and all 44 LGA chairmen in the state.

Those who defected in the house of assembly include Jibril Ismail Falgore, speaker representing Rogo, and Muhammad Bello Butu Butu, deputy speaker representing Tofa/Rimin Gado.

Others are Lawan Hussain, majority leader representing Dala, Garba Shehu Fammar, deputy majority leader representing Kibiya, and Muddasir Ibrahim Zawachiki, chief whip representing Kumbotso.

Also on the list are Zakariyya Abdullahi Nuhu, majority whip representing Gabasawa, Lawal Tini representing Ajingi, and Musa Tahir Haruna representing Albasu.

Ali Lawan Alhassan of Bagwai/Shanono, Ali Muhammad Tiga of Bebeji, Hafiz Gambo of Bunkure, and Rabiu Shuaibu of Dawakin Kudu also defected.

Others include Tukur Mohammed of Fagge, Murtala Muhammad Kadage of Garko, and Abdulmajid Isah Umar of Gwale.

Engr. Ahmad Ibrahim of Karaye, Alhassan Zakari of Kura/Garun Malam, and Suleiman Mukhtar Ishaq of Madobi also joined the APC.

Abdulhamid Abdul of Minjibir, Muhammad Ibrahim of Rano, Kabiru Sule Dahiru of Tarauni, and Ali Abdullahi, Manager of Wudil, completed the list.

In reaction to Yusuf’s defection, Rabiu Kwankwaso, national leader of the NNPP, declared January 23 as “World Betrayal Day”.

Kwankwaso played a prominent role in Yusuf’s emergence as governor of Kano in 2023 through his Kwankwasiyya movement.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed reports suggesting that Kashim Shettima, the vice-president, could be replaced as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate ahead of the 2027 general election.

A statement issued on Monday by Felix Morka, national publicity secretary, described the reports as “speculative, untrue and utterly baseless”.

The party said the speculation escalated recently with the circulation of names of individuals touted as possible replacements.

“Our party states in categorical terms that the stories are purely speculative, untrue and utterly baseless,” the statement reads.

The APC urged media organisations to refrain from amplifying rumours from what it described as “mischievous news sources of questionable provenance”.

Morka noted that such reports were intended to promote discord and confusion in the polity.

The ruling party said the ban on political activities remains in force under existing laws and electoral regulations.

Morka said the party is focused on supporting Tinubu and Shettima in delivering the administration’s renewed hope agenda.

“At this time, our party remains focused on supporting President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in delivering the administration’s renewed hope agenda,” the statement added.

The APC said the administration’s reforms are steadily transforming the economy, building prosperity, and improving living conditions.

The party also cautioned ministers, senior government officials, and party leaders against fuelling unnecessary speculation.

The APC urged them to focus on diligent service and on bolstering the success of the Tinubu administration.

In June 2025, the APC stakeholders’ summit in Gombe descended into chaos after some speakers endorsed Tinubu for a second term without mentioning Shettima.

Reacting to the event days later, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, dismissed it as a “non-issue”.