EX-DEPUTY GOV ABUBAKAR DISPUTES ORIGIN OF KWANKWASIYYA MOVEMENT, CRITICISES KWANKWASO
Kano, January 27, 2026
The political atmosphere in Kano State has been further stirred following fresh revelations by a former Deputy Governor, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, who has challenged the long-held narrative surrounding the origin of the Kwankwasiyya Movement associated with former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
According to a report by The Punch on Tuesday, Prof. Abubakar disclosed that neither the name “Kwankwasiyya” nor its widely recognised red cap symbol was conceived by Kwankwaso. He claimed the political identity was instead created by a core group of six loyal supporters at a period when the former governor was facing political difficulties.
Abubakar said his account was not merely to correct the historical record but to highlight what he described as a leadership failure on the part of Kwankwaso. He alleged that the former governor failed to properly acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of those who helped build the movement from its early days.
According to him, this attitude gradually weakened internal unity and pushed away key loyalists. “That bad behaviour drove all those loyal to him away, leaving him alone,” Abubakar stated, directly linking Kwankwaso’s personal conduct to his current political isolation.
The revelation comes at a critical time in Kano politics, following the recent defection of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from the Kwankwasiyya-aligned New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Abubakar’s comments suggest that the cracks within the Kwankwasiyya Movement may have existed long before the governor’s defection, pointing to deep-seated internal disagreements and a breakdown of trust between Kwankwaso and his former close allies.
The development is expected to further fuel political debate in Kano as parties reposition ahead of future electoral contests.
