President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday met behind closed doors with the Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, amid growing speculation over the governor’s possible defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Yusuf arrived at the Villa at about 4:10 p.m., dressed in a white agbada and red cap, fueling political intrigue around the visit. Although details of the meeting were not made public as of press time, sources familiar with the discussions said the engagement may not be unconnected with ongoing negotiations surrounding his anticipated move to the APC.
For weeks, Kano’s political space has been abuzz with reports that the governor is weighing a return to the APC, a development that could significantly alter the balance of power in the state and weaken the NNPP, which currently controls Kano under Yusuf’s leadership.
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However, the defection talks are said to have hit a snag. Reports indicate that negotiations have stalled over demands for political guarantees, particularly whether Governor Yusuf would be granted an automatic APC ticket to seek re-election in 2027.
Party insiders suggest that the issue has generated sharp disagreements within the APC, with some stakeholders resisting any arrangement that could sideline existing aspirants.
The governor’s possible defection has also reportedly strained relations between his supporters and loyalists of his political mentor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the national leader of the NNPP and a dominant political force in Kano. Kwankwaso’s camp is believed to be opposed to any move that would see Yusuf abandon the party that brought him to power.
Political analysts say the meeting with President Tinubu underscores the strategic importance of Kano State in national politics, given its large voter population and history of influencing presidential elections.
They note that any defection by the sitting governor would be a major boost for the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As of press time, neither the Presidency nor the Kano State Government had issued an official statement on the outcome of the meeting.