Shekarau defends Governor Yusuf, says defection not a betrayal of Kwankwaso, NNPP

Ibrahim Shekarau, former Kano State Governor, says it would not amount to betrayal if Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf defects from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), insisting that such a move would merely follow a precedent earlier set by Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Shekarau’s remarks come amid rising tension within the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya Movement following reports that Governor Yusuf may be planning to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking in an interview with DCL Hausa, Shekarau faulted Kwankwaso’s recent statement that Yusuf should relinquish his mandate before leaving the NNPP, describing the position as inconsistent with Kwankwaso’s own political history.

“I listened to my brother Kwankwaso’s remarks. Either he has forgotten what happened in the past or he believes people have forgotten,” Shekarau said.

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He recalled that Kwankwaso defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC while serving as governor without vacating his office.

“When he left the PDP for the APC, he took the governorship seat along with him. Why didn’t he surrender it to the PDP? In the same way, Abba can move the NNPP seat to the APC,” Shekarau stated.

According to him, if such actions are now being described as offensive, then the precedent had already been established by Kwankwaso himself.

Shekarau also revisited the circumstances surrounding the formation of the NNPP in Kano, attributing his eventual exit from the party to disagreements over power-sharing arrangements.

He explained that after he and Kwankwaso left the APC for the NNPP, several meetings were held in Abuja and Kano to agree on how elective offices and appointments would be shared. A committee was set up to develop a sharing formula, with Yusuf appointed chairman because he was expected to clinch the governorship ticket.

“Abba spent about three months without submitting the assignment. Suddenly, a list emerged and there was no single person from our side on it, apart from me,” Shekarau said.

He added that although Kwankwaso raised concerns over the list, the issue was never resolved, prompting him and his supporters to establish a 30-member committee which eventually recommended withdrawal from the NNPP.

“I rejected the arrangement because I could not accept a senatorial ticket alone while my supporters got nothing,” he said.

Shekarau maintained that political decisions, including defection, should not automatically be seen as acts of betrayal.

“In life, everyone makes choices. If you have genuine reasons and your people agree with you, that should be enough,” he said, urging that Governor Yusuf be allowed to decide his political future without being demonised.

Meanwhile, there is a high probable Governor Yusuf may formally declare his defection to the APC on January 12, following a scheduled meeting with former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, and Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin.

He is also expected to visit his ward in their company to register as an APC member after finalising all arrangements. Sources revealed that the governor has already secured the backing of members of the Kano State House of Assembly as well as commissioners ahead of the anticipated defection.