January 20, 2026 — Dalena Reporters
Abuja, Nigeria — Heightened speculation over a potential political realignment in Nigeria’s northwest reached a new peak this week as Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf held a closed-door meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Monday, in what sources say could be the prelude to his formal defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Observers are now watching developments closely, with party officials indicating a move could be announced as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday this week.
Governor Yusuf, who has yet to publicly comment on the purpose of the meeting, arrived at the Villa around 4:10 p.m. and remained in talks with President Tinubu for several hours before departing without addressing reporters. The encounter, his first known audience with Tinubu since the president’s return from the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, has intensified political discourse around the 2027 elections and the balance of power in northern Nigeria.
According to the Kano State APC chairman, Yusuf is expected to complete his party membership registration and formally join the APC either Tuesday or Wednesday, contingent on the finalisation of negotiations with national leadership. This timeline aligns with reports that the APC temporarily suspended its e-registration exercise in Kano State to prioritise Yusuf’s entry into the party, with some party insiders saying President Tinubu instructed that the governor be the first to register in the state.
Political analysts say Yusuf’s anticipated defection underscores deepening shifts in Nigeria’s party landscape — especially as the APC prepares to consolidate support ahead of the 2027 general election. A defection of this magnitude is significant given that Yusuf is the only sitting governor from the NNPP, a party that once held sway in Kano State and forms part of the opposition coalition buoyed by figures such as Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
However, negotiations have not been without controversy. Reports emerging from multiple sources suggest that prior talks between Yusuf and the APC stalled over demands for a documented assurance of an automatic governorship ticket for the 2027 election a condition the APC leadership was initially reluctant to accede to. The governor is also said to be negotiating for greater influence in federal appointments for Kano State, including the right to nominate a ministerial representative and influence other key postings.
Yusuf’s potential defection has reignited tensions with the NNPP, particularly with his mentor and national leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. Kwankwaso has publicly criticised the defection talks, framing them as a betrayal of party principles and warning of political consequences for Yusuf and his supporters. Some NNPP loyalists have indicated they may resign their positions if the governor formally defects.
Within the APC, reactions are mixed. Supporters of the ruling party argue that bringing a high-profile northern leader like Yusuf into the fold could bolster Tinubu’s coalition and improve grassroots outreach, particularly in a region critical to electoral success. Critics, however, warn that accommodating powerful state governors with ambitious political agendas could fuel internal factionalism ahead of the 2027 contest.
As the week progresses, all eyes will be on Kano and Abuja to see whether Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf formalises his entry into the APC, a move that could redefine political alignments in Nigeria’s most populous state and send ripples across the national political spectrum. Announcements are expected as early as Tuesday or Wednesday, according to party insiders.