Kano State Governor Kabir Abba Yusuf has initiated meetings with All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in the state as he prepares for his potential defection to the ruling party.
Sources close to the governor revealed that although he had previously planned to meet with President Bola Tinubu in France, the trip was abruptly canceled. While some attributed this to “visa issues,” others speculated that the governor did not receive approval from the president to meet with him.
Governor Yusuf had earlier held a secret meeting with his political mentor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, to address the growing tension over his planned defection to the APC. During this meeting, Yusuf reportedly assured Kwankwaso that he would delay any action until he had consulted with the president and discussed the terms of joining the APC.
As the pressure mounts and with the APC congress on the horizon, sources indicate that the governor may soon announce his resignation from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and formalize his defection to the APC.
On Tuesday, Governor Yusuf met with Abba Bichi, the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, to inform him of his intention to join the APC. On Wednesday, he also met with Nasir Ja’oji, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, to discuss his plans and arrange a meeting with the APC state chairman, Abdullahi Abbas.
Additionally, the governor has reportedly directed his spokesman to invite media representatives for a briefing in Abuja, further fueling speculation about his political future.
“Already the governor has invited his social media aides and a select group of local radio stations to Abuja for a major briefing. The agenda is still not clear. It may be a briefing after a council meeting or announcement on his new political direction,” a source privy to the directive told Daily Nigerian.
While the Kano APC stakeholders initially planned to register the governor as the first member of the APC on the e-registration portal, this plan was put on hold due to Yusuf’s indecision and repeated delays.
In response to this, the stakeholders decided to proceed with the registration without the governor, but sources indicate that Yusuf later contacted them, pleading for a postponement and reaffirming his commitment to joining the party.
The APC stakeholders have since suspended the e-registration indefinitely, awaiting the governor’s final decision.