A former Kano Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, has come to the defence of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, saying his decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) is not betrayal but a legitimate exercise of his political rights.
Shekarau’s remarks comes in response to criticism from Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, who labelled Yusuf a “betrayer” over his intention to defect from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the APC.
His intervention has opened another perspective to the brewing controversy surrounding Yusuf’s defection with implications for the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
“Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf should not be accused of betrayal over his decisions because, political realignments are personal decisions guided by circumstances and consultations.
“I have listened to some of my brother Kwankwaso’s remarks. To me, Kwankwaso has either forgotten what happened in the past or he thought people have forgotten.
“When he was in PDP, he also left with the governorship seat to APC. Why didn’t he drop it for PDP? The way he took PDP’s seat to APC is likely the same way Abba will take the NNPP seat to APC,” he said.
Shekarau added that if such action is being described as offensive, then the precedent was already established by Kwankwaso.
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In a viral audio clip, Shekarau, who is associated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), recalled that Kwankwaso defected from the PDP to the APC while serving as Governor, without relinquishing his mandate.
“Governor Abba Yusuf is only following your footsteps,” Shekarau said, questioning why Kwankwaso would accuse Yusuf of betrayal when he had set a similar precedence.
Shekarau, who was a two term Kano Governor between 2003 to 2011, also revisited the formation of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), revealing that disagreements over power-sharing arrangements led to his exit from the party.
He claimed that despite being promised a senatorial ticket, he was marginalised in the allocation of positions, prompting him to leave the party.
The former Governor emphasised that political decisions, including defections, should not be framed as betrayal, especially when leaders consult their followers and act in their collective interest.
Shekarau, a former Education minister and ex-senator representing Kano Central (2019–2023), insisted that Yusuf has the right to join any party of his choice, and Kwankwaso’s criticism ignores the political precedence he set.
