Kano Gov Yusuf’s planned defection to APC postponed

The much-anticipated defection of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reportedly been postponed.

Sources close to the governor revealed that the original date of Monday, January 5, 2026, for the official defection has been rescheduled to Monday, January 12, 2026.

An online newspaper, Daily Nigerian, had earlier reported that Governor Yusuf would formally defect to the APC on January 5.

However, a highly placed source, who requested anonymity and was present at a meeting between Governor Yusuf and Vice President Kashim Shettima in Abuja on Friday, revealed that the governor appealed for additional time.

According to the source, Yusuf wants to further engage a few remaining state legislators and other key stakeholders who are yet to fully align with the proposed political move.

Kano, the ancient city regarded as a major hub of northern Nigerian politics, has in recent days been awash with reports of the governor’s planned defection from the NNPP to the APC.

The development has taken many political observers by surprise, given its potential implications for the political balance in the state.