January 05, (THEWILL) — The Special Advisers’ Forum in Kano State on Saturday entered the fray in the ongoing controversy surrounding the purported move of Governor Abba Yusuf to defect from the governing New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, to the main opposition All Progressives Congress, APC. The Forum declared its support and loyalty to the governor.
This declaration of support is coming on the heels of the clash between the governor and the State Chairman of the party on the one hand and with his godfather, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, on the other, over the claimed defection.
As a result, Governor Yusuf is facing a major political backlash from the NNPP chieftains. The move, which insiders suggest is scheduled for early January 2026, has triggered a severe rift between the governor’s camp and the Kwankwasiyya movement led by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Addressing journalists on Monday, December 29, 2025, the Kano State Chairman of the NNPP, Hashim Suleiman Dungurawa, described the planned defection as a “gross betrayal” of the trust of the Kano people who voted for the party in 2023.
He clarified that neither the state nor the national leadership of the party—nor Senator Kwankwaso himself—approved of the governor’s alignment with the APC. “It is a betrayal of the people of Kano who elected this party,” Dungurawa stated. “I want to make it clear that our national leader and other stakeholders do not approve of what is happening.
“We did everything within our power to persuade them to be patient and remain committed to the NNPP, but it seems they are not ready to listen.”
The crisis reached a peak after the Governor’s Director of Protocol, Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, and other stakeholders from Rogo and Dawakin Tofa Local Government Areas publicly declared their support for the defection.
Rogo argued that the move was necessary to secure Governor Yusuf’s second-term ambition and fulfill the presidential aspirations of Senator Kwankwaso, whom they urged to join the transition. While the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, confirmed a growing internal rift within the party, he initially declined to comment on the specific defection reports.
However, Bature later voiced support for the decision of his local government caucus to follow the governor’s lead, stating he was “1,000 percent” in agreement with the move.
For his open opposition to the planned defection, Dungurawa was expelled by his Gargari Ward Executive Committee of the party for alleged poor leadership, insubordination, and actions said to have fuelled persistent internal crises within the party.
The decision followed a second resolution meeting of the ward executive committee, convened to deliberate on what members described as repeated complaints against his leadership style and conduct as state chairman.
The Chairman of the Ward, Shu’aibu Hassan, who announced the expulsion, said the decision was unanimously adopted “in the interest of safeguarding party unity, discipline, and internal democracy.” According to Hassan, Dungurawa failed to provide inclusive, consultative and responsible leadership expected of his office. rejected his expulsion from the party, describing it as “a child’s play.”
Dungurawa, however faulted his expulsion by the executives of the party of his Gargari Ward in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area describing it as illegal and unconstitutional. According to him, only the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party has the powers to expel him, himself being a member of the body “and there are procedures guiding such actions.”
He said the procedures are that a complaint or petition against a State Chairman of the party should be sent to the National Headquarters of the party which would summon a NEC meeting to deliberate and decide on whether to expel him or not. “So, a Ward of the party cannot just sit and decide to expel the Chairman of the party because it lacks the powers to do so.
“But a Ward Chairman of the NNPP can sack a Governor or a Senator elected on the platform of the party, but not a State Chairman, who is a member of the NEC.
The Forum, in a statement issued to journalists in Kano on Saturday, said its stance was informed by the reality that the Governor “is the leader of the government and holds ultimate authority over political direction and decision-making.”
“In this light, we affirm our unwavering loyalty and alignment with any political decisions made by His Excellency that serve the interests of Kano State and its citizens”, said the statement, which was signed by the Forum’s Secretary, Dr Idris Salisu Rogo. The group stated that politics is inherently dynamic, with varying opinions, alignments, and perspectives being a natural part of a democratic society.
“However, the Forum firmly believes that political engagement should always be characterised by mutual respect, maturity, decorum, and a shared commitment to the peace and progress of Kano State. It urged all political actors, appointees, party members, supporters, and the general public to exercise restraint in their statements and actions.
“The use of inflammatory language, personal attacks, threats, or disclosing private communications only erodes public trust and diverts attention from governance. “Kano State boasts of a commendable history of political awareness and civility that we must uphold.
“Additionally, we pledge our collective support to the Governor as he continues his efforts towards good governance, people-focused policies, infrastructural development, social welfare initiatives, and reforms that positively impact the lives of residents in Kano. The progress achieved across key sectors under his leadership is evident and deserves our collective protection and consolidation.
“We, therefore, call on all stakeholders to prioritise the interests of Kano State above personal feelings or political rivalries while engaging constructively, responsibly, and patriotically. Unity within government and respect among political actors are vital for stability, effective governance, and achieving the administration’s vision”, the Forum added.
THEWILL reports that if the defection materializes on January 6, 2026, as speculated, the NNPP will lose its only sitting governor.
There are also reports that the realignment could lead to a change in the deputy governorship office, with Kabiru Alhassan Rurum being considered as a potential replacement for the current deputy governor, Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, who is expected to remain in the NNPP.
Dungurawa has warned party members against signing any documents at the Government House that would endorse the defection, urging residents to remain calm as the party leadership navigates the “mischief” being circulated by political actors.
Abdullahi Yusuf is a seasoned journalist, communicator and was previously the Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Jos, where he retired on December 15, 2021
