Ticket Dispute Stalls Governor Yusuf’s APC Defection

The high-stakes political negotiations to move Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) have hit a significant roadblock. Sources close to the discussions reveal that the ruling party has flatly rejected the governor’s demand for an automatic return ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections. This refusal has sparked a wave of uncertainty within the governor’s inner circle, leading to the repeated postponement of a formal announcement.

Governor Yusuf has reportedly been in Abuja for several days engaging in intense consultations with the APC top brass, but the terms of engagement remain the primary sticking point. Beyond the guarantee of a 2027 governorship ticket, Yusuf is allegedly seeking the power to nominate a federal minister from Kano and the authority to influence other strategic federal appointments. These demands are being viewed by APC stalwarts as “unprecedented” compared to recent defections by other state executives.

Inside the Kano APC, resistance is stiff. Local power brokers, including loyalists of the immediate past National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, are reportedly unwilling to mortgage the ambitions of existing party leaders to accommodate the newcomer. A major point of friction is the ambition of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, who is widely considered a frontrunner for the 2027 governorship race. The party leadership insists that Yusuf must subject himself to a competitive primary, just like any other aspirant.

The internal rift within the Kano State government house is also widening. Deputy Governor Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo has reportedly vowed to remain with the NNPP, regardless of his principal’s decision. This ideological split raises the specter of a major constitutional crisis or potential impeachment proceedings should Yusuf eventually cross the carpet without his deputy. The “Kwankwasiyya” movement, which swept the duo into power, now faces its greatest test of loyalty.

The national leader of the NNPP, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has not hidden his displeasure, describing the governor’s move as a potential betrayal. However, Kwankwaso himself appears to be keeping his options open. In a recently surfaced video, the former governor stated that while he is not entirely opposed to joining the APC, he would only do so under a “concrete agreement” that secures the future of his supporters and the interests of Kano State.

Evidence that the defection is not as imminent as rumored emerged on Friday, January 16, 2026, when Governor Yusuf convened the first State Executive Council meeting of the year in Abuja. Notably, the governor appeared in his traditional red cap—the symbol of the Kwankwasiyya movement—and prominently displayed the NNPP flag. The meeting was attended by the deputy governor and several commissioners, signaling a momentary return to the status quo.

Observers note that Vice President Kashim Shettima is closely monitoring the situation in the nation’s capital, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expected to receive a final briefing on the negotiations soon. The President’s intervention could be the deciding factor in whether the APC softens its stance on the automatic ticket or if Yusuf is forced to reconsider his political future within the NNPP.

For now, the political atmosphere in Kano remains on edge. The delay in the “big move” suggests that the governor is caught between the risk of a contested primary in a new party and the growing isolation within his original political family. As the 2027 race draws closer, the resolution of this deadlock will determine the direction of Northern Nigeria’s most populous and politically influential state.