By Abiola Olawale
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is currently holding a high-profile closed-door meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, fueling fresh speculation about his long-rumored defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor, dressed in a signature white agbada and red cap arrived at Aso Rock around 4:10 pm on Monday, where the ongoing discussions took place in the President’s office.
Sources close to the presidency and political circles indicate that the meeting is closely linked to Yusuf’s potential switch to the APC, amid weeks of intense behind-the-scenes negotiations.
This comes as Yusuf’s possible move has reportedly been creating deep divisions within the NNPP, particularly straining relations with his political mentor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who has publicly opposed any defection and emphasized loyalty and integrity in politics.
Rumours of Governor Yusuf’s defection gained momentum in late 2025 and intensified into January 2026, with initial plans reportedly postponed multiple times—first around January 5, then January 12.
Key sticking points include the governor’s reported demand for an automatic governorship ticket in the 2027 elections, along with influence over federal appointments from Kano State.
The APC leadership has so far resisted granting such guarantees, citing precedents with other opposition governors who joined without special conditions. Meanwhile, the party suspended its e-registration exercise in Kano on President Tinubu’s directive, reportedly to allow Governor Yusuf to be formally received first should the move materialize.
