Kwankwaso’s son, other Kano Commissioners set to resign amid Gov’s defection tension
Strong indications have emerged that several commissioners in Kano State may soon resign their appointments following plans by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to defect from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Among those affected is the Kano State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Kwankwaso, the eldest son of former governor and NNPP leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who has reportedly vacated his office amid preparations for the governor’s anticipated defection and an expected cabinet reshuffle.
According to a reliable source within the state government, who preferred anonymity, however, clarified that Mustapha Kwankwaso has neither formally resigned nor been officially relieved of his duties.
Our sources hinted that he has allegedly removed his personal belongings from the ministry and is expected to tender his resignation either before or shortly after Governor Yusuf formally exits the NNPP.
While a senior government source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the younger Kwankwaso’s decision to step aside was influenced by strong opposition from his father to the governor’s planned move to the APC.
Multiple sources linked the anticipated resignations to widening political disagreements within the State Executive Council, particularly between loyalists of Senator Kwankwaso and supporters of Governor Yusuf’s planned defection.
Senator Kwankwaso is a leader of the NNPP and the influential Kwankwasiyya political movement in Kano.
As of the time of filing this report, Governor Yusuf has yet to make a public declaration on his defection.
However, aides to the governor and members of the Kano State House of Assembly have confirmed his intention to leave the NNPP, citing deepening legal disputes and internal crises within the party.
A senior government official described the cabinet as sharply divided, adding that the situation had made the continued stay of some commissioners “politically irrelevant and untenable.”
According to the feelers,” Some commissioners believe they cannot remain in office under a platform different from the one on which they were appointed,” as this present government has effectively split into two hostile blocs,” the source said.
But as at the time of filling this report, no formal resignation letters have been submitted, it was gathered that some commissioners are expected to step aside either shortly before or immediately after the governor formally announces his defection.
It was alleged that the planned move, initially expected earlier in January, was reportedly delayed due to concerns over possible mass resignations and the need to manage the political fallout.
Meanwhile, the Kano State House of Assembly on Friday officially endorsed Governor Yusuf’s planned defection from the NNPP, citing unresolved leadership crises and ongoing court cases that could jeopardise the governor’s mandate.
Justifying the endorsement, the House Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini, warned that remaining in the NNPP posed significant risks due to factional disputes and multiple litigations.
He cited the Zamfara State political crisis, where court rulings led to the loss of elected offices, as a cautionary example.
“The NNPP is currently plagued by factional leadership disputes and multiple litigations, creating uncertainty over the validity of its structure and nominations ahead of future elections,” Hussaini said.
Following the purported defection, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has reportedly been holding strategic meetings at his Miller Road residence in Kano with loyalists of the Kwankwasiyya movement who have opted to remain in the NNPP.
As part of efforts to consolidate support, he is said to have opened a “loyalty register” to document elected officials and groups committed to the party.
The political divide has also extended to the federal and state legislatures, with some lawmakers pledging loyalty to the Kwankwaso camp, while others are backing the governor’s planned move.
It was, however, disclosed that despite the internal divisions, sources said Governor Yusuf still enjoys the backing of a majority of NNPP lawmakers at both the state and federal levels, as well as most local government chairpersons and party executives at the ward level.
While the supporters of the governor argue that the proposed defection is aimed at strengthening governance and freeing the administration from excessive political control, the loyalists of the NNPP leadership have condemned the move, describing it as a betrayal of the political structure that brought the governor to power.
