The National Working Committee (NWC) of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has condemned the resignation of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, from the party, describing his defection as a betrayal of the mandate given to him by the people of Kano State.
In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, the party dismissed claims by the governor that his exit was prompted by an unresolved internal crisis, insisting that such assertions were unfounded and made after the decision to leave had already been taken.
Governor Yusuf formally resigned from the NNPP on Friday and is widely expected to align with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
His spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, confirmed the development, stating that the governor conveyed his resignation in a letter addressed to the NNPP chairperson of Diso-Chiranchi Ward in Gwale Local Government Area.
In the letter, the governor expressed gratitude to the party leadership and announced his resignation with effect from Friday, January 23, 2026.
Reacting to the development, the NNPP said it received the news with “deep pain and disappointment,” noting that Yusuf rose to power through the support of the Kwankwasiyya political movement and the overwhelming trust of the Kano electorate.
“We deeply regret that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who benefited from years of loyalty to the Kwankwasiyya Movement, has chosen this path, which amounts to a betrayal of the trust reposed in him by the people of Kano State,” the statement said.
The party warned that the governor’s defection could undermine the political and developmental gains recorded in the state, arguing that his move may return Kano to political forces previously rejected by voters.
Rejecting claims of internal instability, the NNPP pointed to its recent organisational milestones, including the successful conduct of congresses from the ward level to the national convention held on December 20, 2025.
According to the party, the exercise was supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and attended by Governor Yusuf himself.
The NNPP also referenced its victories in two supplementary legislative elections conducted in August 2025, stating that these achievements contradicted claims of an irredeemable crisis within the party.
“The claim of an unresolved internal crisis is clearly without merit,” the statement added.
Drawing historical parallels, the party recalled the defection of former Kano State Governor Abubakar Rimi in the early 1980s, which it said ultimately resulted in electoral rejection by the people.
“History has shown that political disloyalty often attracts the verdict of the electorate,” the NNPP said, noting that many lawmakers who defected alongside Rimi failed to secure re-election.
Despite its criticism, the party appealed for calm among its supporters and residents of Kano State.
“We urge the over one million voters who supported Governor Yusuf, as well as the people of Kano State and Nigerians at large, to remain peaceful and restrained,” the statement said.
The NNPP expressed confidence that the people of Kano would continue to stand by principled leadership and remain committed to the ideals that shaped their recent political choices.
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