Kano Governor, Kwankwaso Hold Midnight Meeting Amid Defection Speculation

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has reportedly held a secret late-night meeting with his political mentor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as political calculations intensify over a possible defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to Daily Nigerian, the closed-door meeting took place around midnight on Tuesday at Kwankwaso’s Miller Road residence in Kano. Sources disclosed that Yusuf arrived in a private vehicle, accompanied by a political go-between identified as Sarkin Gobir. The meeting reportedly lasted for more than an hour.
Insiders said the visit was aimed at making a final attempt to persuade Kwankwaso to join Yusuf in defecting to the APC, allegedly following the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. However, indications suggest the effort did not yield the desired outcome, as Kwankwaso remained resolute in his stance.
A day after the meeting, Kwankwaso appeared to publicly dismiss the overtures while addressing supporters at his residence.
“First, we know that betrayal is not good. Everybody knows how that party is losing the sympathy of the people, especially with regards to insecurity and the economy,” he said.
He added, “People used to say in Nigeria that everyone has a price tag. If you are looking for who has no price tag, come to Rabiu Kwankwaso.”
Sources further revealed that Governor Yusuf’s defection plan is facing stiff resistance at the grassroots, despite a wave of defections by NNPP lawmakers at both state and federal levels, as well as some local government chairmen.
According to party insiders, the majority of NNPP supporters in Kano have remained firmly loyal to Kwankwaso, a development said to be causing anxiety among APC power brokers.
“APC leaders are keenly observing developments in Kano. The Kwankwasiyya supporters have made it clear that they are standing with Kwankwaso,” a source said.
The source added that if Yusuf eventually joins the APC, a candidate backed by Kwankwaso could benefit from sympathy votes.
Following the Kano meeting, Yusuf reportedly travelled to France on Friday to meet President Tinubu, where he is expected to brief him on the outcome of his engagement with Kwankwaso and discuss the next political steps.
Sources said the President remains keen on having Kwankwaso join the APC, prompting renewed last-minute pressure.
“The reaction of the people in Kano is the reason for the renewed push to convince Kwankwaso,” an insider told Daily Nigerian.
Meanwhile, key APC figures in Kano, including former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, and the state party chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, have returned to Nigeria after end-of-year holidays and Umrah.
Other party heavyweights, such as Nasiru Gawuna and Murtala Garo, are also back in the country ahead of an anticipated political realignment.
Sources added that Governor Yusuf is expected to announce his defection after concluding consultations with APC leaders.