Zainab Musa Kwankwaso, the second wife of Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and daughter of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has reportedly filed for divorce at the Upper Area Court in Gudu, Abuja.
According to DAILY NIGERIAN, a court summons has directed the governor to appear on November 17, 2026.
Zainab married Yusuf on July 29, 2006, and their union produced six children. The reported divorce comes amid a prolonged marital crisis, which sources say may have been worsened by the political fallout between Yusuf and his father-in-law. 
On October 28, she reportedly left the Kano Government House for her father’s residence before travelling to Abuja without her security escorts. Her departure reportedly led to the arrest and questioning of security personnel, while her siblings, including Ado Kwankwaso, were also questioned over allegations that they helped her leave Kano.
In her court filing, Zainab cited a breakdown of the marriage, saying there was no longer mutual love, care or emotional connection. She added that reconciliation efforts had failed and expressed concern that remaining in the marriage could affect her ability to fulfil her religious obligations.
She is seeking dissolution through khul’i, an Islamic divorce procedure that usually involves the wife returning her dowry. She has reportedly offered to refund the dowry paid by the governor.
The Kano State Commissioner for Information, Sanusi Dawakin Tofa, did not respond to requests for the governor’s reaction.
