Kwankwaso Accuses Kano Governor Yusuf of Forcing Officials to Join APC

Former Governor of Kano state,Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and current Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf in good old days

The 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has accused the Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, of coercing state officials and elected local government chairmen into defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The allegation comes amid a growing political rift between Kwankwaso and Governor Yusuf, who were once close allies.
In a statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, Kwankwaso said he had received what he described as “disturbing reports” indicating that the Kano State Government was compelling officials to align with either the Gandujiyya political camp or the Kwankwasiyya movement.
“I have received several reports some encouraging, others extremely disturbing,” “I was informed that the Kano State Government is forcing state officials and elected local government chairmen to sign documents declaring loyalty to either Gandujiyya or Kwankwasiyya.”Kwankwaso wrote.

Kwankwaso condemned the alleged actions, describing them as undemocratic and deeply disappointing. He warned that such conduct would provoke strong reactions from his supporters.
“Our supporters will not take this lightly. It is disheartening and unfortunate that a government would descend to this level,” he stated.
The former Kano governor’s remarks reflect escalating tensions within Kano’s political landscape, particularly as realignments ahead of future elections continue to reshape alliances across party lines.
In response, the Kano State Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Waiya, firmly rejected the allegations, describing them as false and misleading. He insisted that no government official or political officeholder had been forced to defect to the APC.
“What actually happened is that our party invited individuals government officials and non-officials alike,who are willing and ready to join the APC to do so voluntarily,” “There was no compulsion whatsoever.”Waiya said.
He further stated that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf respects democratic principles, including freedom of association and political affiliation, and would not endorse any form of political coercion.
Interestingly, despite his earlier criticism, Kwankwaso later struck a more conciliatory tone, urging his supporters to exercise personal choice regarding political defection.
“If you are asked to sign documents to decamp to the APC and you are willing, you may do so. I have no problem with that,” he said.
Kwankwaso and Governor Yusuf were once political allies, with Yusuf emerging from the Kwankwasiyya political movement that Kwankwaso founded. Their recent fallout, however, underscores deepening fractures within Kano State’s power structure and highlights the fluid nature of political loyalty in Nigeria’s evolving democracy.