Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has formally dumped his former party for the All Progressives Congress (APC), moving alongside 22 members of the Kano State House of Assembly and nine members of the House of Representatives.
The governor made the announcement on Monday at a political gathering held at the Coronation Hall of the Government House in Kano.
Speaking before party leaders, lawmakers and supporters, Yusuf said the decision came after broad consultations with elected officials and key stakeholders across the state.
“After wide consultation, 22 out of 24 members of the Kano State House of Assembly and nine out of 14 members of the House of Representatives have concluded that we should join the APC,” Yusuf said.
He explained that the defection was driven by the need to improve governance and fast-track development in Kano State.
“We are choosing partnership rather than polarisation. Political parties are vehicles; the destination is to bring positive change to the people of Kano,” the governor stated, adding, “Judge this decision by the work we do for the people of Kano.”
The event drew several top APC figures, including former party National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje; Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin; and Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Abubakar Kabiru Bichi.
Reacting to the development, Kano State APC Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, described the mass defection as a courageous and historic step.
“This is a bold decision. APC members in Kano will remain loyal to Governor Abba Yusuf as he joins the party,” Abbas said.
Senator Barau Jibrin also called on his supporters to back the governor.
“I urge all my supporters to support Governor Abba Yusuf so that we can work together for the progress of Kano State,” he said.
Welcoming Yusuf and the lawmakers, former APC National Chairman Ganduje described the governor as a progressive leader.
“Governor Abba Yusuf is a progressive politician and deserves to be in the APC. From now on, he is the leader of the party in Kano State,” Ganduje declared, adding that party members were fully united behind him.
The governor’s defection, alongside a majority of state and federal lawmakers, is expected to significantly alter the political dynamics in Kano State.