Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, is set to officially join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday, DAILY NIGERIAN reports.
Governor Yusuf, who currently serves as the sole governor under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), is said to be in Abuja finalizing arrangements ahead of his much-anticipated defection.
According to sources close to the development, Vice President Kashim Shettima and the APC National Chairman, Dr. Yitwalda Nentawe, are expected to host the governor during the formal declaration ceremony in Abuja.
It was further gathered that the APC leader in Kano, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has been recalled from a trip to Dubai, while the state party chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, was directed to return from his lesser hajj in Saudi Arabia to issue an APC membership card to the governor at his Diso Ward in Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State later this week.
The governor is also expected to meet with Mr. Ganduje to deliberate on strategies for strengthening the APC’s foothold in Kano State.
DAILY NIGERIAN learned that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu initially expressed reservations about accepting Governor Yusuf’s defection without the inclusion of his political mentor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who maintains a strong following in Kano and across the North.
“The president was initially unwilling to receive the governor without Kwankwaso on board. However, following the intervention of Governor Hope Uzodinma, he agreed to proceed with Yusuf’s defection,” a reliable source disclosed.
Meanwhile, acting on the governor’s directive, APC loyalists across Kano’s 44 local government areas have openly declared their support for Yusuf, urging him to lead them into the ruling party.
Governor Yusuf’s recent fallout with his longtime political godfather, Senator Kwankwaso, has stirred division within the Kwankwasiyya movement, with many members expressing disappointment and reaffirming their loyalty to the former governor.
Source: Daily Nigerian