The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has launched a strong criticism against the Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, accusing him of betraying the trust of the people following his reported resignation from the party. The party warned that political disloyalty and abandonment of core principles often attract public judgment.
In a statement issued on Friday, the NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Oladipo Johnson, expressed deep disappointment over Yusuf’s decision to leave the party that sponsored his rise to power. Johnson described the move as a serious political misstep with potential consequences for Kano State.
According to the party, Governor Yusuf was elected on the foundation of long-standing loyalty to the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the NNPP’s political structure. The statement said his exit represents a betrayal of that trust and undermines the collective sacrifices made by party members and supporters.
Johnson warned that Yusuf’s action could expose Kano State to political forces that have historically opposed its development and the aspirations of its people. He argued that the governor’s decision risks reversing the progress associated with the movement that brought him into office.
The NNPP stated that it was regrettable that a leader entrusted with the mandate of the people would abandon the party platform that enabled his electoral victory. The party described the decision as a departure from the values of loyalty, integrity, and service to the people.
The party also rejected claims by Yusuf that there was an irredeemable crisis within the NNPP. According to the statement, such assertions are unfounded and inconsistent with recent developments within the party.
Johnson pointed out that the NNPP recently conducted congresses at all levels, from ward to national leadership. He noted that the national convention was held on December 20, 2025, under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission, and that Governor Yusuf himself was present at the event.
The party further highlighted its recent electoral successes as evidence of internal stability. It recalled that the NNPP participated in and won two supplementary elections in Bagwai/Shanono and Ghari/Tsanyawa constituencies in August 2025, approximately three months before Yusuf’s resignation.
According to the NNPP, these achievements contradict the governor’s claim that the party is in crisis. The party described the explanation for his exit as an afterthought rather than a reflection of political reality.
The statement also drew parallels with a similar episode in Kano State’s political history. The party recalled the early 1980s defection of former governor Abubakar Rimi from the People’s Redemption Party to the Nigerian People’s Party.
The NNPP noted that Rimi’s defection was accompanied by a mass movement of elected officials, including most local government chairmen, councillors, members of the Kano State House of Assembly, and federal legislators. Despite this, the party said the electorate delivered a decisive verdict at the polls.
According to the statement, Rimi was defeated in the 1983 gubernatorial election by Mallam Aliyu Sabo Bakin Zuwo of the PRP. The NNPP added that out of the 120 state assembly members who defected with Rimi, only one was re-elected, describing the outcome as a clear lesson on the consequences of political betrayal.
The party said this historical example should serve as a warning to any politician considering disloyalty to the platform that brought them to power. It stressed that Kano voters have consistently shown their commitment to principled leadership.
Despite its strong criticism, the NNPP called for calm among its members and supporters. The party urged the people of Kano State to avoid violence, division, or political acrimony in response to the development.
The statement appealed to the more than one million voters who supported Yusuf during the election to remain patient and restrained. The party emphasized that political disagreements should not lead to instability or undermine democratic values.
Johnson said that although the situation is painful for those invested in the Kwankwasiyya vision, history has shown that truth and loyalty ultimately prevail. He maintained that the collective will of Kano’s people remains stronger than individual political decisions.
The NNPP concluded by reiterating that those who sacrifice loyalty for convenience and integrity for deceit rarely escape public judgment. The party expressed confidence that the people of Kano State will continue to support leadership rooted in principle, accountability, and service.
