Yusuf’s Defection: ‘All My Life I Have Not Seen Kwankwaso This Angry’ – APC Chieftain

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, AbdulMajeed Dan Bilki Kwamanda, has said Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso still possesses enough political capital to disrupt the APC’s dominance in the state, despite remaining in the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Kwamanda stated this during an interview with DCL Hausa, in response to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s recent defection from NNPP to the APC, a move he described as a betrayal of Kwankwaso.

Kwamanda noted that if Kwankwaso presents a credible governorship candidate in the 2027 elections, the NNPP could receive widespread support, even from within the APC.

“If Kwankwaso presents a good candidate, I can assure you that even people within the APC will abandon the party,” he said.

He described Kano’s political landscape as one where strategy and candidate strength matter more than party platforms.

According to Kwamanda, Ahmad Garban Bichi would be a strong candidate if Kwankwaso decides to contest in 2027 through a proxy.

“Ahmad Garban Bichi comes from a respected family. If Kwankwaso fields him, I assure you Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso will win the election,” he said.

For the deputy governorship slot, Kwamanda suggested Ibrahim Khalil, a former governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

“If he wants a deputy, he can pick Ibrahim Khalil. He is popular, educated, related to many people, and has supporters among both men and women,” he added.

On the emotional fallout from Governor Yusuf’s defection, Kwamanda revealed that the move deeply hurt the NNPP leader.

“In all my life, I have never seen Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso this angry,” he said.

He accused Governor Yusuf of joining the APC out of personal gain, not genuine service.

“Abba joined the APC out of personal need, not because of love for Kano or its people,” Kwamanda said.

Reflecting on the broader political climate, Kwamanda lamented the growing dominance of self-interest over public service in Nigerian politics.

“Politics today is no longer about the people. It’s about personal ambition and betrayal,” he said.