Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is a Nigerian politician and senior figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC)
APC Signals 2027 Backing for Kano Gov Yusuf After Defection
Ganduje says APC will back Kano Gov Abba Yusuf for 2027 after his return from NNPP, but formal ticket processes still apply.
Published:
January 27, 2026 at 6:39:25 AM
Modified:
January 27, 2026 at 6:49:05 AM
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is signalling early political support for Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s 2027 re-election bid following his return to the ruling party, with former national chairman Abdullahi Ganduje publicly promising party backing at a reception in Kano on Monday as first reported by the PUNCH.
Speaking at the event held at the Coronation Hall of Government House, Kano, Ganduje described Yusuf’s defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) as a “historic homecoming” and told party members the governor should be treated as the APC leader in the state, in line with the party’s practice of recognising sitting governors as state leaders.
Ganduje also went further, telling the gathering that Yusuf would win a second term in 2027 and claiming the party had engaged other aspirants who had agreed to support the governor. While the comments were presented as a show of unity, they amount to political assurances rather than a formal nomination, which typically follows internal party procedures closer to election season.
Why Yusuf’s defection matters for APC’s 2027 posture
Kano is one of Nigeria’s most politically influential states, and Yusuf’s move strengthens APC’s claim to momentum in the North-West ahead of the next general elections. Yusuf resigned from the NNPP on January 23, citing internal crises, legal disputes, and what he described as the need to protect Kano’s development interests.
In his resignation letter, Yusuf said his decision followed consultations and was aimed at aligning Kano more closely with the Federal Government, framing the switch as a governance and stability calculation rather than a personal dispute with former allies.
The governor’s return to APC was accompanied by a large bloc of elected officials in Kano including state lawmakers, members of the House of Representatives, and local government chairmen signalling a broad realignment that could affect both party structures and electoral planning heading into 2027.
APC leaders used the defection to project cohesion. Separately, Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin welcomed Yusuf and said he would collaborate with him on Kano’s development, describing the move as strengthening APC in the region.
The NNPP, however, criticised the defection. Prince Nweze Onu, described as the party’s deputy national chairman, called it a betrayal of voters and argued that holding governorships would not guarantee President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
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A key fallout: Kwankwaso’s son resigns
One of the immediate political consequences in Kano was the resignation of Mustapha Rabi’u Kwankwaso the state commissioner for youth and sports development and son of former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso who stepped down from the State Executive Council following Yusuf’s switch to APC, citing personal reasons and gratitude for the opportunity to serve.
Source: The PUNCH
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