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Defection move: Kwankwaso, Governor Yusuf, finally part ways as rift deepens
The rift between Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) leader Senator Rabiu Kwakwanso has nosedived.
In reaction to the governor’s readiness to defect from the NNPP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kwankwaso opened a loyalty register for political office holders to ascertain their allegiance and fidelity to his leadership.
The former governor began taking stock of his loyalists in Kano at the time Yusuf was celebrating his 63rd birthday in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
With the governor were top government officials and party chieftains.
Kwakwanso, who shunned the ceremony, was busy in his Kano residence with “engagement meetings” with NNPP stakeholders, particularly members of the Kwakwansiyya Movement.
A source said moves and counter-moves by Yusuf and Kwankwaso have polarised the party and divided members of the NNPP in the National Assembly.
The governor has already secured the support of the 40-member House of Assembly, led by Speaker Jibril Isma’il Falgore, and all the 44 local government chairmen.
However, NNPP federal legislators have not openly indicated their willingness to defect to the APC along with the governor.
There are 21 House of Representatives from Kano state, out of which 13 are in NNPP.
Sources said Yusuf and Kwankwaso have polarized the NNPP federal lawmakers over the defection disagreement.
Out of the 13 NNPP representatives, Umar Mukhtari Zakari, who represents Tarauni Constituency, has publicly opposed the planned defection.
However, Aliyu Sani Madaki (Dala), Abdulmumin Jibrin (Bebeji/Kiru), Yusuf Rabiu (Sumaila/Takai), and Sani Abdullahi (Karaye/Rogo) have already moved to the APC.
Also, Kabiru Usman, who won a rerun in Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya Constituency under the NNPP, and Sagir Ibrahim Koki (Kano Municipal) have defected to APC.
Although the defection was scheduled for Monday (yesterday)it was postponed by the APC national leadership till January 12.
In the earlier arrangement, Vice President Kashim Shettima and the national chairman of the APC Nentawe Yilwatda were billed to receive Yusuf into the party.
Party sources said the event was rescheduled to allow further consultation with the National Assembly lawmakers from the state and key stakeholders who are yet to fully commit to the move.
A close aide of the governor said the governor is yet to officially register at his ward and he has not obtained the APC membership card for formal defection.
The defection is part of a larger political realignment that will enable Yusuf to potentially take on a significant leadership role in the state chapter of the party, and as well seal his bid for the governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.
The move, a strategic decision to strengthen the APC’s position in Kano State, has been rejected by Kwankwaso, who is speculated to be on his way to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in protest.
The sources said Yusuf defection will be a significant blow to the Kwankwaso-led Kwankwasiyya Movement.
The former governor had publicly threatened that no one betrays the Kwankwasiyya movement and goes free.
The disagreement between Yusuf and Kwankwaso led to the sack of Hashimu Dungurawa (a pro-Kwankwaso chieftain) as state chairman of the party.
Yusuf has picked Alhaji Abdullahi Zubairu Abiya as Acting State Chairman.
A Kano State High Court ruling upheld the suspension of the embattled chairman and barred him from acting in that capacity, pending the determination of the suit.
But the national secretariat of the party has described the change in the leadership as a nullity and went ahead to dissolve the entire executive committees at the ward, local government and state levels indefinitely.
The APC is treating Yusuf’s defection move as a major political gain. It has significant implications for Kano State politics and beyond, including stripping the NNPP of its only governorship seat and potentially reducing its influence and viability as a national party.
The defection will bolster APC’s dominance in Kano and enhance its chances in the 2027 general election.
The existing power bloc of the Kano APC, led by former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, had openly expressed their readiness to work with Yusuf.
Ganduje and the APC Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, have urged him to feel free to join the ruling party.
Yusuf’s much awaited arrival in APC may spark rivalry within the APC. It will ultimately neutralise the chance of Deputy President of the Senate Barau Jibrin who has been aspiring for the ticket, a development that will likely influence negotiations, future alliances and voter alignments in Kano State.
Barau, who represents Kano North, has remained indifferent to the governor’s move, apparently because of his ambition.
Senator Rufai Sani Hanga (Kano Central) remains in the NNPP with Kwankwaso, while Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila (Kano South) defected from NNPP to APC last year and he is certainly not with Kwankwaso.
Nation
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has announced a change in the orientation schedule for prospective corps members posted to Enugu and Osun states for the 2026 Batch A Stream II exercise.
In a statement issued on Monday by its Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, the scheme said the orientation course in the affected states will now commence on April 28 and end on May 18, 2026.
The NYSC attributed the adjustment to ongoing renovation works at the orientation camps by the state governments.
The scheme clarified that the change applies only to Enugu and Osun states.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the orientation exercise for all other states and the FCT will hold from Wednesday, April 22, 2026, to Tuesday, May 12, 2026,” the statement said.
The NYSC advised affected prospective corps members to take note of the revised schedule and comply accordingly.
Meanwhile, NYSC has announced the release of call-up letters for prospective corps members under the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream II programme.
The scheme disclosed this on Monday via its 𝕏 account, stating, “2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream II deployment has been released.”
The development follows the recent publication of the timetable for the upcoming orientation exercise.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Caroline Embu, the NYSC confirmed that the orientation course will commence nationwide on April 22.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the National Leader of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nyesom Wike, has assured aggrieved members of the the party that they will not lose their entitlements if they return, declaring that many who left only did so out of uncertainty and in search of political shelter.
He therefore urged the party leadership to urgently move for reconciliation.
“Chairman and your team should put in place a strong committee to reach out to those who are aggrieved.
“There is room for them to come back, and whatever is due to them will still be given,” Wike said at the 108th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party held Monday at Wadata Plaza, Abuja.
The former Rivers State governor insisted that the PDP must close ranks quickly, warning that lingering internal wrangling could weaken its chances ahead of future elections.
“In life, there must be a period of crisis. What matters is how we resolve the crisis. Now that we are together, we must not stop at reconciliation,” he said.
Wike also reaffirmed his loyalty to the party, declaring that he has no intention of leaving despite ongoing tensions.
“I have been a member of this party since 1998 and I will not leave. Whatever happens, we will continue to live as members of the PDP,” he stated.
He further called for transparency and openness in party affairs, saying this would rebuild confidence and attract back those who had drifted away.
“If you engage them, they will understand and support the party. There is need for openness so that we can achieve the unity we desire,” he added, while expressing confidence in the party’s legal team.
Earlier, PDP National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, signalled a fresh start for the opposition party, declaring that the era of uncertainty was over.
According to him, the party will strictly follow the Electoral Act and guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in conducting its congresses.
“The era of uncertainty is behind us. The era of strategy, consultation, and electoral preparation has begun,” he said, promising transparent and credible congresses across all levels.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, stressed that unity must remain the party’s top priority.
He urged members to bury their differences, warning that there was no room for exclusion if the PDP must regain its footing nationally.
Ohuabunwa also called for discipline and strict adherence to the party’s constitution, while commending reforms such as the e-registration initiative aimed at strengthening internal processes and repositioning the party for the challenges ahead.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fixed its first National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting following the reopening of its national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, after months of closure.
The meeting is scheduled to hold at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.
This comes days after security operatives unsealed the premises, which had been under lock since late last year due to internal leadership disputes.
The development marks a fresh step in the party’s attempt to stabilise its structure after a prolonged crisis. Party officials say the meeting will focus on restoring order and addressing lingering issues affecting the PDP’s leadership.
The secretariat had been sealed in November after a violent confrontation between two rival factions. One group was loyal to the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee. The other faction was headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed, who led a caretaker committee. Both sides had laid claim to the party’s leadership, leading to chaos at the headquarters.
The crisis deepened after a court ruling earlier this year. The Appeal Court nullified the Ibadan convention that brought in the Turaki-led leadership. That judgment shifted momentum to the Mohammed-led group.
Backed by key political figures, the Mohammed faction moved quickly. They relied on the court decision to organise a fresh convention in Abuja. That exercise further strengthened their hold on the party’s structure.
Sources within the party say today’s NEC meeting will largely be attended by loyalists of the Mohammed-led leadership. Among those expected are the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Also expected are former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
Party insiders say the presence of these figures signals a strong show of unity from the faction currently in control. Discussions at the meeting are expected to cover reconciliation, restructuring, and preparations for future political engagements.
There are also indications that the NEC may set up committees to address grievances within the party. Some members are pushing for a broader peace process to bring back aggrieved stakeholders.
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NYSC Reschedules Orientation Date For Enugu, Osun Corps Members
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