Kano State’s political landscape is rapidly shifting after Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s decision to leave the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and join the All Progressives Congress (APC). The move has not only reshaped the balance of power in the state but also placed Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo in a precarious position, as calls for his impeachment gain momentum.
The governor’s resignation from the NNPP, announced on Friday, was followed by a wave of defections from elected officials across the state. Twenty-two members of the Kano State House of Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives and all 44 local government chairmen elected on the NNPP platform have also resigned and are expected to register with the APC today.
While the governor’s loyalists within the executive council have largely aligned with him, the deputy governor has refused to follow suit, remaining in the NNPP and openly declaring his loyalty to the Kwankwasiyya movement led by former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Several senior officials have also resisted the defection. These include the Head of Service, Abdullahi Musa; the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Adamu Aliyu Kibiya; and the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Yusuf Ibrahim Kofarmata.
A senior aide to Governor Yusuf told Daily Trust Newspaper that plans were being considered to use the new APC majority in the House of Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against Gwarzo if he refuses to resign.
The aide said the idea of removing the governor and installing the deputy governor had initially been part of the defection strategy. But the plan reportedly collapsed after Kwankwaso uncovered it and lawmakers who were to spearhead it switched allegiance to Yusuf.
“With the governor now commanding the House, the same numerical advantage could be deployed against the deputy governor if he continues to align with Kwankwaso,” the source said.
Requests for comment from the spokespersons of both the governor and the deputy governor were not answered by the time of filing this report.
Since the defection process began, the affected commissioners have continued to attend Executive Council meetings but have largely avoided public events involving the governor. Instead, they have been seen at political rallies and events organised by Kwankwaso.
A source close to the administration said the officials were not being excluded but were choosing to keep a low profile to avoid possible political confrontation.
“They are trying to avoid being caught in the crossfire. It is a personal decision to stay away from public events,” the source said.
Governor Yusuf’s influence in the assembly appears to be solidifying. Among the lawmakers who resigned are Speaker Jibril Ismail Falgore, Deputy Speaker Muhammad Bello Butu Butu, Majority Leader Lawan Hussain and Chief Whip Muddasir Ibrahim Zawachiki.
With 13 existing APC members already in the House, the defection of the 22 lawmakers will give the ruling party a total of 35 seats, a commanding majority that could fast-track any legislative agenda, including impeachment proceedings.
Political analysts say Gwarzo’s future now hinges on his next moves. Dr Kabiru Sufi warned that the deputy governor’s continued absence from official functions and his visible association with Kwankwasiyya could prompt lawmakers to take action.
“If he continues to distance himself from government business, the House may feel compelled to act,” Sufi said.
Another analyst, Adnan Mukhtar Tudunwada, said the deputy governor’s options were limited to either resignation or impeachment, predicting that he could be sidelined even before any formal process begins.
However, some observers believe Gwarzo could still become a key figure in the NNPP’s future plans. Kabir Yunusa Buhari suggested that the deputy governor could emerge as Kwankwaso’s next governorship candidate if the party decides to rally behind him.
In a statement on Sunday, Governor Yusuf’s spokesperson confirmed the governor would formally register with the APC today. The statement said the move was driven by governance realities, national cohesion and the need for closer cooperation with the Federal Government to accelerate development and service delivery.
Meanwhile, political developments continued to unfold. Commissioner Yusuf Ibrahim Kofarmata resigned, citing concerns that the political climate could compromise his independence and objectivity. Commissioner Adamu Aliyu Kibiya reiterated his loyalty to Kwankwaso, while Governor Yusuf relieved his political adviser, Sunusi Surajo Kwankwaso, of his appointment.
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