News
2027 Showdown: Kano Politics Shaken as Yusuf Defects to APC
The Peoples Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress and Labour Party have strongly criticised the All Progressives Congress following the defection of the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, from the New Nigeria Peoples Party to the ruling party, insisting that the development will not alter the political reality ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Reacting to the governor’s decision to join the APC on Monday, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Ini Ememobong, and his ADC counterpart, Bolaji Abdullahi, said in separate interviews with The PUNCH that the defection reflects moral failure rather than political strength, stressing that moves driven by self-interest would not translate into votes for the ruling party.
Also, the Interim National Chairman of the faction, Senator Nenadi Usman, warned against confusing elite defections with widespread popular support, emphasising that opposition parties will continue to play a significant role ahead of the upcoming elections.
Meanwhile, the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, welcomed the Kano State governor into the party, describing the defection as a boost for the APC and a validation of its commitment to delivering democracy’s dividends to Nigerians.
Despite the support of a former Kano State governor and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Governor Yusuf announced his resignation from the NNPP on Friday, following weeks of speculation and rising political tension in the state.
In recent months, several PDP governors have defected to the APC, including Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Peter Mbah of Enugu, Douye Diri of Bayelsa, Agbu Kefas of Taraba, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and, most recently, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State.
Beyond the governors, several influential political figures—such as National Assembly members, state legislators, former governors, ex-ministers, and other party leaders have also left the PDP for the APC.
President Bola Tinubu and other APC leaders have consistently rejected claims that the ruling party aims to establish a one-party state following the defection of the governors, maintaining that the APC remains inclusive and open to all Nigerians.
Speaking on Yusuf’s resignation, the NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Oladipo Johnson, in a statement on Friday, described the move as a betrayal of the Kano electorate and a blow to the Kwankwasiyya Movement that the governor once led.
He added that history shows that those who trade loyalty for convenience and integrity for deception rarely escape the judgment of the people.
NNPP stated, “We deeply regret that Governor Abba, a man entrusted by the people of Kano State on the strength of his decades of unwavering loyalty and dedicated service to the Kwankwasiyya Movement, has now chosen to betray that sacred trust. By this action, he risks returning the state to the very forces that have long opposed its progress and the aspirations of its people.
“It is noteworthy that our party, the NNPP, had recently conducted congresses for its leadership from the ward to the national convention, held on 20th December 2025, which the governor himself was present at, and INEC had supervised. The party had also participated in and won two supplementary elections for Bagwai/Shanono and Ghari/Tsanyawa constituencies, respectively held in August 2025, about three months ago. The assertion he made of an irredeemable crisis in the party is therefore baseless and an afterthought.
“This is not the first time such a betrayal has occurred in the political history of Kano. In the early 1980s, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi defected from the People’s Redemption Party to the Nigerian People’s Party, taking with him the vast majority of elected officials—including nearly all local government chairmen and councillors, 120 out of 126 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, and most Kano representatives in the National Assembly.
“Yet, the electorate delivered a resounding verdict: In the 1983 gubernatorial election, Rimi was humiliatingly defeated by Mallam Aliyu Sabo Bakin Zuwo of the PRP, finishing second. Even more telling, of the 120 state assembly members who joined Rimi’s defection, only one was re-elected—an outcome that should serve as a sobering lesson to any politician contemplating the path of disloyalty.”
The party called on its members and the people of Kano State to remain calm and avoid discord, emphasising that the loyalty of Kano’s citizens to principled leadership will ultimately triumph.
Despite objections from the NNPP, Yusuf is scheduled to officially join the APC today, marking a major shift in the political landscape of Kano State, the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Tofa, confirmed in a statement released on Sunday.
The statement highlighted that Governor Yusuf initially joined the APC in 2014 to contest the party’s primary for the Kano Central Senatorial seat, a position he yielded to Kwankwaso.
The Kano State governor is set to officially register as a member of the APC in Kano, alongside 22 members of the State House of Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives, and all 44 local government chairmen.
He is also expected to inaugurate the APC’s e-registration exercise in the state.
Speaking on the significance of the registration exercise, Yusuf stated, “This is not just a political move; it is a step to ensure that governance remains people-centred and that our developmental agenda reaches every corner of Kano State.”
On the broader implications of his return, he added, “Our focus is on building unity, strengthening political cooperation, and ensuring that the people benefit from effective governance, irrespective of party affiliations.”
Reflecting on his earlier years in the APC, the governor remarked, “I am returning to a party I know, a platform where experience meets structure, and where we can collectively pursue progress for Kano State.”
In a related development, former Kano State Governor and ex-APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, who is currently abroad, is expected to return today.
A former Chief of Staff to Ganduje, Mohammed Garba, revealed on Sunday that he had travelled to London but would be back in Nigeria on Monday.
“He is presently in London and will return to the country tomorrow, Monday, ” Garba said.
Garba further stated that it is highly likely the former Kano State governor might head straight to Kano upon arrival to officially welcome the defecting governor.
“We are not yet certain, but there is the possibility that he may head straight to Kano to receive the governor,” he added.
Reacting, the PDP National Publicity Secretary accused Yusuf and other defecting governors of betraying their electoral mandate.
In an interview, Ememobong insisted that the APC would face defeat in 2027 despite the recent wave of defections.
He stated, “The troubling part is that this is not how the system is supposed to work. It does not address the issue of people who were elected, nor does it speak to the promises that were made. There are moral questions involved. A social contract exists between elected officials and the people, and that contract is entered into on the basis of a political party.
“Once elected on that platform, it is morally wrong to abandon it midway. If you intend to contest another election, you should wait until the end of your tenure and then contest on another platform. Alternatively, you should vacate the office and allow the party on whose platform you were elected to retain the mandate, especially when the party you are joining was a fierce opponent.’’
Continuing, he noted, “It is shocking that people now suffer from selective amnesia. After going through an election that was widely described as a political war, with all that transpired known to everyone, they simply take the fruits of that victory and hand them over to the APC, which was their main contender. All of this speaks to the moral deficiency of many political leaders, despite attempts by some to justify it.
“This will not count as an advantage for the ruling party in 2027. As I have said before, this does not diminish any political party. Electoral strength is determined only during elections, not by the defection of governors. Kano, for instance, remains an NNPP state until the next election.
“A governor may defect or plan to defect, but that does not change the political complexion of the state. If you look at the 2023 electoral map, it clearly shows that elections are contests decided by voters.
“This sudden push for defections is a sign of APC cowardice, not political strength. Presidential elections are not won by forcing people to defect or by making the electorate suffer.
“The people did not defect along with these governors or others who have joined the APC. The ruling party has failed, and Nigerians who have not defected and will not defect will vote the APC out. The Kano State governor and other defecting governors, who are holding mandates belonging to other parties, cannot save the ruling party.”
The ADC publicity secretary stated that governors defecting to the APC are seeking personal protection rather than serving the people, adding that failed governors will not be able to deliver their states to the party in the 2027 elections.
Abdullahi stated, “Well, obviously, we do not doubt that he is joining for the same reason other governors have joined: to seek protection. They all know that the easiest way to secure a second term is by joining the ruling party. They believe that is where they will get a free ride into a second term.
‘’They also believe they are answering the call of the APC—that whoever joins their party, no matter how sinful he is, will have his sins forgiven. That is why they are joining. They are not joining because they believe what the ruling party is doing to their people is right, or because they care about the people. They do not care about the people; they only care about themselves. So we are not surprised.
“It is not an advantage for APC, because when governors defect, some of them have already failed their people. And joining the ruling party does not mean the people are joining them. We have evidence of this from the last election. In Delta State, the governor belonged to one party, yet another party won the election. The same thing happened in Edo, and the same in Lagos, as a matter of fact. So, the situation is not as bad as it is being portrayed. We do not see this as any real advantage for the ruling party.
“If elections are conducted freely and fairly in any of these states, most of these governors will realise that their approval ratings among their people are actually below 20 per cent. They know exactly why they are doing what they are doing. So even within the APC, defeat awaits them all, because of the zero performance of the governors and President Bola Tinubu.”
OSOGBO — The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the outcome of the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that it is not convinced that Governor Ademola Adeleke secured the highest number of valid votes.
INEC on Sunday declared Adeleke the winner after the Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwale, announced the final results at the commission’s headquarters in Osogbo.
Adeleke, who contested on the platform of the Accord Party, polled 511,067 votes to defeat the APC candidate, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Dr Najeem Salaam, came third with 17,180 votes.
However, the APC said it would not accept the declaration without conducting a comprehensive review of the electoral process.
Speaking on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme on Monday, the Director-General of the APC campaign for the Osun governorship election, Hon. Oluwole Oke, said the party had commenced an audit of the results and electoral materials from the poll.
Oke said the party had directed its agents across the state to submit relevant result sheets for scrutiny as it investigates alleged infractions.
“We need to do the needful which is to evaluate the process, review the process and then form an opinion. We’ve embarked on an audit process; we’ve asked all our party agents to submit copies of Form EC8A, B, C to our secretariat for review. We need to inspect all the materials because we do not agree with the declaration of INEC, and that’s our position for now,” he said.
The APC campaign chief also dismissed suggestions that the party was under pressure to immediately accept the outcome following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s congratulatory message to Adeleke.
Tinubu had congratulated Adeleke after the declaration, describing the outcome as a reflection of the will of the people.
Reacting to the President’s position, Oke said Tinubu spoke in his capacity as President and a democrat following INEC’s declaration.
“Mr. President spoke as the Father of the nation and a democrat following the declaration by INEC,” he said.
Oke, however, maintained that the APC would rely on its own assessment of the election after completing its review.
“We’re on ground and politics is local and, like I’ve told you, what we’re doing is to conduct a thorough review of the entire process and form an opinion,” he said.
He added that the party would not be rushed into congratulating Adeleke, insisting that its preliminary position was that the governor did not secure the highest number of valid votes.
“We won’t be under any subtle pressure to easily reach out to congratulate Senator Ademola Adeleke because we believe he didn’t score the highest valid votes,” Oke said.
The APC is expected to determine its next course of action after completing its audit and reviewing the electoral materials and results submitted by its agents.
ABAKALIKI — The 2027 governorship race in Ebonyi State is gathering momentum, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Chief Ifeanyi Odii, unveiling a package of reforms aimed at improving the welfare of workers, teachers and retirees.
Odii made the commitments during a meeting with representatives of Ebonyi civil servants and members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) at his Lagos residence, where he outlined his plans for a comprehensive reform of the state’s public service.
A major component of his agenda is a workers’ housing scheme designed to provide 1,000 housing units within his first year in office and up to 5,000 units over four years if elected governor.
Odii said the housing programme would be structured to minimise dependence on direct government funding, with workers’ contributions and existing pension assets forming part of the financing framework.
He said the initiative would address the housing difficulties faced by workers and retirees, particularly retirees who often struggle to sustain rented accommodation after leaving government service.
The PDP candidate also proposed a paperless digital loan platform that would allow workers to access loans against their contributory pension savings without the bureaucratic delays associated with the existing system.
On retirement benefits, Odii pledged that workers would have access to their entitlements immediately upon retirement, arguing that retirees should not endure prolonged delays in receiving benefits accrued during their years of service.
He further promised to reform the promotion process through computer-based promotion examinations capable of producing results instantly.
According to him, the digital system would reduce delays, curb opportunities for manipulation and promote greater transparency and fairness in the career progression of civil servants.
Odii said the proposed reforms were aimed at creating a public service where workers would have improved access to housing, credit facilities and timely retirement benefits, while ensuring a more transparent promotion system.
He presented the proposals as part of his broader agenda to improve workers’ welfare and reposition the Ebonyi State civil service for greater efficiency if elected governor in 2027.
The MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited (MEDL) has confirmed the death of one of its operations staff in an electrical accident.
The Head of Communications, MEDL, Mr Emeka Ezeh, who confirmed the incident in Enugu on Monday, said that the incident occured on Aug. 13 at Eke in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Ezeh said that the incident, which occurred at about 1p.m., involved Mr. Samson Okechi, the Team Lead, Abor, attached to the company’s 9th Mile District.
He said, “Okechi was carrying out maintenance work on a 50kVA/11kV pole-mounted distribution substation at Eke when he sustained an electric shock.
“Okechi was immediately evacuated to Our Saviour Hospital, Ngwo, for medical attention but was pronounced dead by the doctor on duty. His remains were subsequently deposited at a mortuary.”
He said that the incident was formally reported at the Ngwo Police Station for documentation and other necessary statutory actions.
Ezeh also debunked claims circulating on some social media platforms that Okechi was murdered or that the incident was the result of sabotage.
“I wonder why some people take pleasure in conjuring unfounded narratives and circulating them, thereby creating unnecessary tension and bad blood. This is so unfair,” he said.
He urged members of the public to disregard the claims, describing them as baseless.
According to him, Okechi had requested a Station Guarantee (SG) for the Okwe 11kV Feeder, which was granted at about 11:06 a.m. at the 9th Mile Injection Substation. The feeder was subsequently opened and tagged.
“This is a very unfortunate development and a big shock to all of us, his colleagues. Our hearts go out to his immediate family as they grieve,” Ezeh said.
The MEDL spokesman disclosed that MainPower management had commenced a comprehensive investigation to establish the immediate, underlying and root causes of the accident.
He said, “We are committed to ensuring that the investigation is thorough and evidence-based.
“The findings will be used to identify any gaps, determine appropriate corrective measures, and strengthen safety procedures and operational controls where necessary.”
Ezeh MEDL assured its customers and stakeholders that safety remained a paramount priority in its operations, adding that appropriate measures would be taken based on the outcome of the investigation.
Idiaye, a third-term lawmaker, takes over from Blessing Agbebaku, who resigned as Speaker on Monday amid moves by lawmakers to impeach him.
The emergence of Idiaye was said to have been influenced by the gentleman’s zoning arrangement in the Assembly, which provides that when the governor is from the Edo Central Senatorial District, the Speaker should come from Edo North.
Idiaye, being the oldest member from the Edo North Senatorial District, was subsequently elected Speaker.
Without the zoning arrangement, the Deputy Speaker would have automatically succeeded Agbebaku, according to the new Speaker.
Members of the Assembly were at the Government House to inform Governor Monday Okpebholo of the change in leadership.
Agbebaku was said to have resigned early on Monday following alleged moves by lawmakers to impeach him.
Reports gathered that 17 of the 24 lawmakers had signed a notice of impeachment on Sunday night, a development that may have prompted his resignation.
Agbebaku’s resignation was confirmed by Ebojele, who said details of the development would be made public later.
She said, “I can confirm the Speaker’s resignation but details will be made public later.”
The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, has resigned from his position.
Agbebaku stepped down on Monday amid moves by some lawmakers to impeach him.
His resignation was confirmed on Facebook by his media aide, Ivy Adodo-Ebojele, who said further details on the circumstances surrounding his exit would be made public later.
“EDO ASSEMBLY SPEAKER RT HON CHIEF BLESSING AGBEBAKU RESIGNS,” she wrote.
The development has thrown the Edo State House of Assembly into a fresh leadership crisis, with lawmakers expected to determine a new Speaker.
Details shortly…
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