Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has assured the National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Rabiu Kwankwaso, that his supporters will follow his political lead.

Yusuf assured Kwankwaso that “wherever he goes politically, his supporters will follow.”

Addressing the 484 local government councillors from the 44 LGAs at the Kano Government House on Sunday, the governor expressed his loyalty to Kwankwaso.

In a statement by his spokesman, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the governor said: “You are the eyes and ears of government at the grassroots. Go back to your wards, listen to the people, and present their most urgent needs. Once you do that, we will act.”

The governor also asked councillors to act as a link between government and the grassroots by identifying urgent community needs for swift intervention.

The Kano governor said the state has earmarked nearly N5 billion for ward-level projects to address classrooms, drainage, and other pressing community infrastructure issues.

Yusuf also harped on the importance of sincerity, transparency, and dedication to ensure funds are used for projects with direct impact on the people.

This comes amid defections from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

With former PDP presidential running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa’s defection to the APC, there are claims that more members of the opposition party will defect to the ruling party.

A former confidant of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and influential figure in Kano politics, Yunusa Adamu Dangwani, has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring his readiness to work for the party’s success in the 2027 general elections.

Dangwani made the announcement during a defection ceremony in Kano, which also saw dozens of former members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) join the APC. The event was led by the Kano State APC Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, and attended by several party stakeholders.

Speaking at the event, Dangwani praised the APC’s leadership and organizational structure, both at the state and national levels, saying his decision was motivated by a desire to align with a party capable of fulfilling its promises to Nigerians.

Dangwani’s move comes amid growing political realignments in Kano, a key battleground state in Nigerian politics. His defection is seen as a major gain for the APC, given his former ties with Kwankwaso, the leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

Welcoming the new members, Abdullahi Abbas said the defection was a boost to the party’s grassroots mobilization efforts and assured the newcomers of equal opportunities within the party.

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf has strongly refuted corruption allegations made against the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, by former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abdullahi Baffa Bichi.

Speaking on Sunday during a special meeting with 484 councillors from the 44 local government areas of the state, Governor Yusuf described Bichi’s claims as baseless and misleading.

He said the allegations, which circulated in a viral video on social media, were a deliberate attempt to tarnish Kwankwaso’s reputation and destabilize the current administration.

In the video, Bichi claimed that the present government had looted more public funds in two years than the immediate past administration under former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje did in eight years.

He also accused Kwankwaso of receiving N2 billion monthly from the state coffers—allegations Governor Yusuf dismissed as completely false.

“There is a beneficiary of this administration who was recently removed from office,” the governor said.

“I saw him shamelessly claiming that this government has stolen ten times more than what Ganduje’s administration stole in eight years. Why didn’t he say this while he was still serving if he was truly honest?”

Governor Yusuf expressed disappointment that a man of Bichi’s age would make such unfounded allegations, warning that such behavior could encourage the younger generation to disrespect societal institutions and figures of authority.

“Our society is at risk when respected figures—religious leaders, elders, traditional rulers—are insulted without consequence. From now on, we will not tolerate such behavior. We are taking steps to put an end to it,” he added.

Defending Kwankwaso, the governor said:
“Our leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has served this nation in various critical capacities and understands the demands of leadership. It is unacceptable that someone of such experience and stature be ridiculed by those who have achieved far less.
Criticize us if you must, question our policies—but insulting our revered leader will not be tolerated.”

Governor Yusuf also cautioned radio stations and media outlets against airing defamatory and unverified statements that could mislead the public and inflame tensions.

“To the media organizations that give space to these irresponsible statements: we are watching. If you continue to spread these harmful narratives, be reminded that we are in a position of authority and will not hesitate to act,” he warned.

Reaffirming his unwavering loyalty to Kwankwaso, the governor declared:
“Wherever he goes, we go with him. We are proud of our choice, and we have no regrets.”

Earlier in his address, Governor Yusuf called for unity among elected officials and urged the councillors to prioritize community development projects in education, healthcare, and agriculture.

“Our administration is committed to transparency. There is no room for corrupt individuals here. Anyone found looting public funds will be shown the door.

We also plan to renovate all local government secretariats to stimulate rural development, improve public service delivery, and strengthen security,” the governor concluded.