Politics, power, principle: Decoding Governor Yusuf’s NNPP resignation
Nigerian politics has a bad habit. Every major political movement is reduced to emotion. Every realignment becomes a morality tale. Someone must be the villain. Someone must have “betrayed” someone. But Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s exit from the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) on January 23 does not fit into that lazy template. Not if we are […]
Nigerian politics has a bad habit. Every major political movement is reduced to emotion. Every realignment becomes a morality tale. Someone must be the villain. Someone must have “betrayed” someone.
But Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s exit from the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) on January 23 does not fit into that lazy template. Not if we are serious. Not if we understand Kano. And certainly not if we understand how power actually works in this country.
Yet, from my vantage point, this move is far from a treacherous act. It represents a carefully calculated political maneuver, rooted in the pragmatic demands of governance and the imperative to secure Kano’s future amid Nigeria’s fractious federal landscape. Labeling it as betrayal oversimplifies the nuanced interplay of loyalty, strategy, and state interest that defines high-stakes politics in Nigeria.
To understand this, one must first contextualise the relationship between Governor Yusuf and his long-time mentor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. There is no denying the depth of the relationship between Governor Yusuf and Senator Kwankwaso. Their political association spans over four decades and is rooted in the Kwankwasiyya movement – a progressive, people-centered philosophy that has reshaped Kano’s political identity.
Governor Yusuf did not stumble into power. Kwankwaso, a towering figure in Nigerian politics, identified, mentored, and propelled him into prominence, culminating in his 2023 gubernatorial victory under the NNPP banner. This history is undeniable, and Governor Yusuf’s loyalty during Kwankwaso’s periods of political wilderness—through electoral defeats and party shifts has been exemplary. However, politics is not a static familial bond; it is a fluid arena where personal ties must sometimes yield to institutional imperatives.
The fallout between the two, speculated upon for months, appears to stem from internal NNPP discord, including disputes over the party’s direction. Whether this rift is a genuine ideological schism, or a scripted drama orchestrated for mutual benefit remains speculative and, frankly, inconsequential to the broader narrative. What matters is that such disagreements are private affairs between the principals, not fodder for public moralising. No external observer can fully grasp the intricacies of their discussions and reducing it to betrayal ignores the reality that political mentorships often evolve—or fracture.
His exit has triggered loud accusations. Critics, including NNPP stalwarts, have been quick to cry foul, branding the Governor’s exit a “betrayal of sacred trust.” To many loyalists, this is seen as a political son walking away from a political father. Kwankwaso himself has distanced himself from any endorsement of the move, emphasising his commitment to grassroots rebuilding ahead of 2027.
But as someone who has keenly watched Kano politics since 2019, I will say this rhetoric overlooks a fundamental truth: in Nigerian politics, loyalty is not absolute; it is contextual. Power is never static. Relationships in politics are not destroyed only by hostility. Sometimes they are reshaped by responsibility. That is the lens through which Governor Yusuf’s resignation from the NNPP should be viewed. Power changes equations. Once governance begins, responsibilities shift from individuals to institutions, from movements to millions of citizens. That is where we are now.
Governor Yusuf’s resignation letter cited “lingering party crises” as the catalyst, a diplomatic phrasing that masks deeper strategic calculations. Kano, as Nigeria’s most populous state and a commercial nerve centre, cannot afford to continue to operate in isolation from the federal government. The NNPP, despite its regional strength, lacks the national leverage to deliver on mega-projects or navigate bureaucratic hurdles at the centre.
However, politics does not freeze people in time. Political mentorship is not slavery. Loyalty in politics is not a lifetime party contract. Once a man moves from being a political protégé to being the chief executive of a state like Kano, the weight of responsibility changes. A governor is no longer managing loyalty alone. He is managing a complex system of governance, federal relations, development pressures and political survival. At that level, decisions are no longer personal. They are structural.
Those calling this a betrayal argue from an emotional and moral standpoint. They believe the mandate given to Governor Yusuf was tied inseparably to the NNPP platform and to Kwankwaso’s political machinery. From that perspective, leaving the party looks like turning one’s back on the structure that delivered victory. They also fear that such a move could blur the ideological identity that distinguishes the Kwankwasiya movement.
These concerns are not foolish. Political structures are built on expectations of continuity. When a key figure exits, it shakes confidence and creates uncertainty. There is also the broader democratic concern that frequent defections weaken party systems and make politics look transactional rather than principled.
Yet there is another side that cannot be ignored. Kano is not just another state. It is a demographic giant, a commercial nerve centre and a political symbol in the North. Governing Kano requires constant engagement with federal power structures. In a system like Nigeria’s, where resource flows and institutional cooperation often follow political alignment, isolation carries real costs.
This brings us to the potential positive impacts of Gov. Yusuf’s anticipated defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), which, while not yet formalised, is widely expected in the coming days. Speculations have intensified, with APC’s Kano chapter extending a warm welcome. If consummated, this shift could herald a new era of stability and progress for Kano. First, it would enhance federal-state synergy, crucial in a federation where resource allocation often favors aligned administrations.
Moreover, the defection could insulate Governor Yusuf’s administration from opposition-engineered legal and political sabotage. Recall the protracted court battles that nearly derailed his tenure post-2023 elections; alignment with the ruling party might deter such distractions, allowing focus on deliverables like education reforms and healthcare upgrades, hallmarks of the Kwankwasiyya ethos the governor continues to embody.
From this angle, Governor Yusuf’s decision looks less like disloyalty and more like discernment. A governor facing internal party instability must ask a hard questions.
Critics might argue this dilutes opposition voices, but in Nigeria’s zero-sum political game, a weakened NNPP in Kano could paradoxically strengthen broader democratic discourse by forcing parties to compete on merit rather than personality cults. Gov. Yusuf’s move also underscores a maturing political culture: governors increasingly prioritising state interests over godfather dictates.
Of course, risks abound. Defection could alienate die-hard Kwankwasiyya supporters, fracturing grassroots networks. Yet, early indicators suggest Governor Yusuf’s popularity endures, buoyed by his administration’s focus on the talakawa. It is also important to note what has not happened. Governor Yusuf has not publicly insulted Kwankwaso. The Kano government has even cautioned supporters against inflammatory remarks toward him, signaling an intent to preserve civility amid transition. This restraint is commendable, in Nigerian politics, real betrayals are often accompanied by public hostility and personal attacks. That is not the case here.
In the end, Governor Yusuf’s NNPP’s resignation is a masterclass in political realism, not betrayal. The positive ripple effects could redefine the state’s trajectory ahead of 2027. As an amateur analyst somewhat attuned to Nigeria’s power plays, I see this not as a loss for opposition ideals but as a win for pragmatic governance. The people of Kano deserve leaders who evolve with circumstances. In the grand chessboard of Nigerian politics, sometimes the king must move to secure the kingdom.