Mustapha Kwankwaso, the Kano State Commissioner for Youth and Sport and eldest son of former governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, has vacated his office amid growing tension surrounding the anticipated defection of Governor Abba Yusuf from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
Although Mustapha has neither submitted a resignation letter nor been formally relieved of his duties, sources within the government say he is expected to resign either shortly before or after the governor’s official departure from the party.
Governor Yusuf has not publicly announced his defection. However, aides close to him and members of the Kano State House of Assembly have confirmed that he intends to leave the NNPP, pointing to escalating legal battles within the party as a key factor.
According to a report by Premium Times, officials familiar with the situation said Mustapha Kwankwaso cleared out his office and removed personal belongings after his father, the NNPP leader in Kano, openly opposed the governor’s planned transition.
Rabiu Kwankwaso has since been holding strategy meetings at his Miller Road residence with members of the Kwankwasiyya movement who have chosen to remain in the NNPP.
As part of efforts to solidify loyalty, it was earlier reported that the elder Mr Kwankwaso introduced a “loyalty register” at his residence to document elected officials and support groups committed to the party.
By Friday, several senior government officials had reaffirmed allegiance to Mr Kwankwaso and declined to follow Governor Yusuf to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Among them are the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Yusuf Kofar-Mata; the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Adamu Aliyu; the Commissioner for Internal Security, Ibrahim Umar, a retired Air Force officer; and the Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Hamza Kachako.
Others said to have signed the loyalty register include the Head of Service, Abdullahi Musa; the Executive Secretary of the Kano Scholarship Board, Musa Danzaki; and the Managing Director of Kwari Textile Market, Hamisu Dogonnama.
The political divide has also affected the state and federal legislatures. Senator Rufa’i Hanga (Kano Central) and House of Representatives members Mukhtar Yarima, Abdulkarim Ado, and Sani Wakili have aligned with the Kwankwaso camp.
Despite this, Governor Yusuf is believed to command the majority of NNPP lawmakers at both the federal and state levels.
Within the State House of Assembly, legislators such as Yusuf Aliyu and Zakariyya Ishaq have remained loyal to Mr Kwankwaso, while the lawmaker representing Madobi—Kwankwaso’s local government area—has yet to take a clear position.
Even with these exceptions, insiders say the governor has secured majority backing in what they described as a “palace coup”.
All 44 local government chairpersons, their deputies, and most ward-level executives are reported to have aligned with Governor Yusuf in the planned move to the APC.
The unfolding rift represents a major shift in Kano’s political landscape. For nearly four decades, Governor Yusuf was widely regarded as the “ultimate loyalist” of Mr Kwankwaso.
In 2023, it was reported that 14 of the 19 commissioners appointed in Governor Yusuf’s first cabinet were former aides and associates of Mr Kwankwaso. Mustapha Kwankwaso joined the cabinet in April 2024.
Supporters of the governor argue that the planned defection is intended to “liberate” his administration from what they describe as Mr Kwankwaso’s excessive influence, enabling a sharper focus on governance and development.
However, allies of the former governor have labelled the move the “ultimate betrayal” of a longstanding political relationship.
The defection, initially expected in early January, was reportedly postponed to allow Governor Yusuf additional time for consultations.
(PREMIUM TIMES)
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