Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf on Monday met with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, amid heightened speculation over his planned defection to the All Progressives Congress. The visit comes amid Yusuf’s planned defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party to the ruling APC, a move that has been postponed multiple times since early January. Mustapha Kwankwaso, and other cabinet members loyal to Kwankwaso have reportedly vowed to resign immediately if the governor officially joins the APC. A lawmaker and APC chieftain in Kano, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, claimed in a viral video that President Tinubu had directed that the APC’s ongoing e-registration exercise be suspended in Kano until Governor Yusuf formally joins the party. In a birthday statement on January 5 to mark Yusuf’s 63rd birthday, Tinubu lavished praise on the Kano governor, highlighting his infrastructural achievements and commitment to grassroots development.

Source: Punch January 20, 2026 04:17 UTC