...in solidarity with Gov Yusuf
Kano Gov due for defection to APC today
Science & Technology Commissioner adamant, resigns
position to remain with Kwankwaso in NNPP
Eight members of the House of Representatives from Kano State and 22 members of the state House of Assembly have resigned their membership of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP.
Announcing their departure from the NNNP, the lawmakers affirmed their commitment to the administration of Governor Abba Yusuf.
The exodus from the NNPP was confirmed on Saturday, in separate statements issued by the spokesperson to the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, and Governor Yusuf’s spokesman, Sanusi Bature.
Following this wave of defections, the All Progressives Congress, APC, now has 36 members in the 40-seat state legislature, and 19 out of Kano’s 24 members in the House of Representatives.
Shawai officially released names of the members of the state legislature who defected in solidarity with Governor Yusuf, while the names of the eight members of the House of Representatives were released by Bature.
Kano has 24 House of Representatives’ members with 18 of them elected under NNPP platform, while six were elected under the APC.
Recall, however that some NNPP House of Representatives’ members had earlier defected to the APC. They include Abdulmumin Jibrin representing Kiru/Bebeji/ Sagir Koki/Kano Municipal federal constituency; Alhassan Rurum, Rano/Kibiya/Bunkure federal constituency and Abdullahi Sani representing Rogo/Karaye federal constituency.
Representing Dala State constituency, Aliyu Madaki, who serves as the Minority Leader, remains a factional member of the NNPP, though he has long distanced himself from the Kwankwasiyya movement.
This latest development gives the APC 19 of the 24 Kano seats in the House of Representatives, while the NNPP retains only five: Kura/Garun Malam/Madobi, Wudil/Garko, Tarauni, Ungogo/Minjibir and Warawa/Dawakin Kudu federal constituencies.
The APC has now secured an overwhelming majority in the 40-member state House of Assembly as the NNPP’s former 26-seat majority has been overturned. the APC now has 36 members in the state legislature, leaving the NNPP with a paltry two seats, following the deaths of the incumbents of Ungogo and Kano Municipal state constituencies.
Recall that Governor Yusuf had last Friday resigned from the NNPP, citing deepening internal crises and legal issues, and he is widely expected to join the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the coming days.
Federal lawmakers who just resigned from the NNPP include Engr. Tijjani Abdulkadir, Jobe Dawakin Tofa/Rimin Gado and Tofa federal constituency; Garba Ibrahim, Diso/Gwale; Hassan Shehu Hussain, Nassarawa; Idris Dan Kawu, Kumbotso and Muhamamad Chiroma Nalaraba, Gezawa/Gabasawa.
Others are Messr Rabiu Yusuf, Takai/Sumaila; Dr Ghali Mustapha Tijjani, Albasu/Gaya /Ajingi and Messr Muhammad Bello Shehu, Fagge.
State legislators who just resigned from the NNPP are the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Jibril Ismail Falgore, Rogo; Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Muhammad Bello Butu Butu, Tofa/Rimin Gado; Majority Leader, Lawan Hussain, Dala; Deputy Majority Leader, Garba Shehu Fammar, Kibiya.
Others are Chief Whip, Muddasir Ibrahim Zawachiki, Kumbotso; Majority Whip, Zakariyya Abdullahi Nuhu, Gabasawa; Lawal Tini, Ajingi; Musa Tahir Haruna, Albasu; Ali Lawan Alhassan, Bagwai/Shanono; Ali Muhammad Tiga, Bebeji and Hafiz Gambo, Bunkure; Rabiu Shuaibu, Dawakin Kudu; Hon. Tukur Mohammed, Fagge; Murtala Muhammad Kadage, Garko; Abdulmajid Isah Umar, Gwale; Engr. Ahmad Ibrahim, Karaye; Alhassan Zakari, Kura/Garun Malam; Suleiman Mukhtar Ishaq, Madobi; Abdulhamid Abdul, Minjibir; Muhammad Ibrahim; Rano; Kabiru Sule Dahiru, Tarauni, and Ali Abdullahi Manager, Wudil
The defection of the 22 members of the state Assembly underscores their collective resolve to stand firmly with Governor Yusuf’s administration in advancing the interests of Kano State.
Meanwhile, the Kano State Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Yusuf Kofarmata has resigned from the state executive council with immediate effect.
His resignation was conveyed to the governor in a formal letter addressed to Governor Yusuf, citing the state’s “prevailing political turmoil” as the primary reason for his resignation.
Kofarmata stated that the current political climate in the state threatened the independence and impartiality essential to his role in the cabinet.
Insisting that the credibility of his office hinged on its ability to function free from external interference, Kofarmata said, “The integrity of the state commissioner’s role rests on the ability to act without undue influence, partisan pressure, or divided allegiance.”
He added that remaining in office under such conditions could “erode public confidence in the institution.”
Elaborating on the political tension in the state, Kofarmata noted that heightened expectations of partisan loyalty had created an environment where the perception of compromised judgement is almost inevitable.
He said, “The growing atmosphere of tension and expectations of loyalty and allegiance could create the perception – or reality – of compromised judgement.
”Such a scenario is fundamentally inconsistent with the ethical standards of a state commissioner.”
He added that his exit was a pre-emptive measure to protect the sanctity of the office.
He enthused further, “My decision to step aside is taken in the interest of safeguarding the credibility of the office and preserving my personal commitment to ethical public service.”
Expressing gratitude to the Kano State Government for the opportunity to serve across multiple portfolios, Kofarmata highlighted his contributions to various policy reforms and developmental initiatives during his tenure.
He added, “I remain grateful for the opportunity to have served in various ministries and for the trust placed in me during my tenure.”
He expressed the hope that his resignation would allow the ministry to continue its work “without question or constraint.”
In conclusion, the former commissioner formally request Governor Yusuf to accept his resignation, as official notice of his disengagement from the Kano State Executive Council.
He is the first cabinet member of the Governor Yusuf administration to throw in the towel following Governor Yusuf’s departure from the NNNP on Friday.
The governor’s resignation from the NNPP has divided the party along the lines of those loyal to NNPP leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and those who believe the governor should have more autonomy to govern.
In a latest development, Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, is set to rejoin the All Progressives Congress, APC, today, Monday, January 26, 2026, following his resignation from the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP.
The development was made known in a statement issued on Sunday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
Bature said Governor Yusuf first joined the APC in 2014 when he emerged winner of the party’s primary election for the Kano Central senatorial seat, a position he later relinquished in favour of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The statement noted that after years of political engagement across different platforms, including his recent stint in the NNPP, prevailing realities of governance, national cohesion and development informed his decision to return to the APC, a party he described as a familiar and structured platform for progressive governance.
Insisting that rejoining the APC would strengthen cooperation with the Federal Government, accelerate infrastructural development, enhance security coordination and improve service delivery across Kano State, Governor Yusuf added that the move would also help consolidate political stability and unity in the state.
The statement stated further that Governor Yusuf will formally register as a member of the APC in Kano State alongside eight members of the House of Representatives and 22 members of the Kano State House of Assembly and the 44 local government chairmen in the state.
The governor is also expected to officially kickstart the APC e-registration exercise in Kano same day.
Political observers opined that the move by Yusuf is a major realignment in Kano State’s political landscape ahead of future electoral contests.