Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has resigned his membership of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), marking one of the most consequential political defections since the 2023 general elections and marking the beginning of a mass exit of elected officials across the state.
Yusuf's resignation, which takes effect from Friday, January 23, 2026, was formally communicated in a letter addressed to the Chairman of his ward of registration, Diso-Chiranchi Ward in Gwale Local Government Area. According to the Governor, the decision was motivated by long-standing internal disputes and unresolved leadership crises within the party, which have eroded cohesion at both the state and national levels.
The development was confirmed by the governor's spokesperson and Director General of Media and Publicity, Sunusi Tofa, who said Yusuf's decision followed several weeks of internal consultation and reflection.
In his resignation letter, Yusuf acknowledged the role of the NNPP in his political rise, especially its support during the 2023 elections, but said the internal instability of the party has become an obstacle to effective governance and political coordination.
“In recent times, the party has faced persistent internal challenges arising from leadership disagreements and ongoing legal processes, many of which are currently before the courts for judicial determination,” the letter said.
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He said that what began as internal disagreements gradually turned into deep structural divisions, causing party members to become more and more dissatisfied and uncertain about the direction of the party.
Yusuf said, “Increasing disenfranchisement among party members has created deep divisions within the party structure, resulting in fissures that are increasingly appearing irreconcilable and creating uncertainty at both the state and national levels.”
The governor described his exit as a decision taken in good faith and in the paramount interest of Kano State, and stressed that it was not motivated by bitterness or personal grievances.
He said, “After careful consideration, and without prejudice to the ability of the party to resolve its internal challenges, I have come to the conclusion that my resignation is in the best interests of the people of Kano State.” He said he was committed to peace, unity and development in the state.
In addition to the governor's departure, the resignation has triggered a widespread political realignment within Kano. According to a statement issued by Yusuf's media office, 21 members of the Kano State Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives and all 44 local government chairmen in the state have also resigned from membership of the NNPP.
The coordinated nature of the exit underlined the depth of the crisis within the Kano structure of the party, which was one of the NNPP's strongest political bases across the country. Kano scored the party's most significant electoral victory in 2023, establishing it as a rare third force success in Nigeria's largely two-party political landscape.
Political analysts say the development has effectively emptied the NNPP of institutional power in Kano, raising questions about the party's long-term viability and ability to maintain relevance ahead of future electoral cycles.
The resignation also comes against the backdrop of an escalating legal battle over the party's national leadership, factional disputes and control over party structures, with issues repeatedly going to courts and strained relations among senior party figures.
Although Yusuf did not reveal his next political destination, the timing of the move has attracted attention. The resignation comes after his meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on January 19, a development that has fueled speculation about a possible political realignment at the national level.
Neither the Presidency nor the All Progressives Congress (APC) have commented on the meeting or its implications, and Yusuf's camp has refused to confirm whether he intends to join another party or lead a new political platform.
For now, the governor has indicated his desire to stabilize governance in Kano while pursuing political transition. However, with a sitting governor and a large group of federal and state legislators simultaneously exiting the NNPP, the party faces its most serious test since its emergence on the national stage.
As Nigeria's political class continues to shift positions ahead of the next election cycle, Yusuf's defection underscores the weakness of smaller parties in the face of internal governance failures and the enduring pull of power-centered realignment in the country's political economy.
