Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has reportedly traveled to France to meet with President Bola Tinubu following an unsuccessful secret meeting with his political mentor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, aimed at convincing him to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to sources cited by Daily Nigerian, Governor Yusuf met with Kwankwaso late Tuesday night at his residence on Miller Road in Kano. The governor, who arrived in a private vehicle accompanied by an aide, reportedly spent over an hour attempting to persuade Kwankwaso to defect to the APC—a move allegedly urged by President Tinubu.
The effort appears to have failed. The following day, Kwankwaso appeared to address the overtures indirectly while speaking to supporters, stating, “People used to say in Nigeria that everyone has a price tag. If you are looking for who has no price tag, come to Rabiu Kwankwaso.”
Yusuf’s planned defection to the APC is said to be facing significant grassroots resistance in Kano, where many supporters of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) remain loyal to Kwankwaso. This loyalty has raised concerns within APC circles that a defection by Yusuf without Kwankwaso could backfire in future elections.
Following the Kano meeting, Yusuf flew to France to brief President Tinubu on the outcome and discuss next steps. Sources indicate that Tinubu remains keen on bringing Kwankwaso into the APC fold, prompting continued behind-the-scenes efforts.
Meanwhile, key APC figures in Kano, including former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, and state party chairman Abdullahi Abbas, have returned to Nigeria ahead of anticipated political realignments.
Governor Yusuf is expected to announce his defection to the APC after concluding consultations with party leaders. However, with Kwankwaso publicly standing firm and his support base intact, the political future of Kano remains fluid as both state and national parties navigate a high-stakes realignment ahead of the 2027 elections.
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