Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has said that he resigned from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) due to the protracted internal crisis bedeviling the party.
Yusuf, together with a large bloc of elected State and National Assembly officials, dumped the party today.
Yusuf announced his resignation in a letter he addressed to the Chairman of the NNPP in his Diso-Chiranchi Ward, in Gwale Local Government Area of Kano metropolis, saying his decision took effect from January 25, 2026.
The governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, confirmed the development and emphasised that the move followed prolonged internal crises within the party.
In the statement, the governor expressed deep gratitude to the NNPP for providing him with a political platform and for the support he received from party leaders and members during his time in the party.
He said: “I write with a deep sense of gratitude to formally notify the leadership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) of my decision to resign my membership of the party.”
He added that he remained appreciative of the opportunity given to him by the party to be part of its political journey since 2022, as well as the goodwill and cooperation extended to him during his tenure.
The governor attributed his resignation to the persistent leadership disputes and prolonged legal battles that have continued to unsettle the party’s structure at both state and national levels.
He said: “In recent times, the party has been confronted with persistent internal challenges arising from leadership disagreements and ongoing legal processes, many of which are presently before the courts for judicial determination.”
According to him, the unresolved disputes had resulted in widespread disenfranchisement of members, widening internal divisions and weakening the party’s cohesion, saying, “The growing disenfranchisement among party members has created deep divisions within the party structure, resulting in cracks that appear increasingly irreconcilable and have generated uncertainty at both state and national levels.”
Yusuf explained that his decision followed careful reflection and was guided by what he considered the best interest of the people of Kano State, stressing that the move was taken in good faith and without bitterness.
“After careful reflection, and without prejudice to the party’s capacity to resolve its internal challenges, I have come to the conclusion that my resignation is in the best interest of the people of Kano State,” he said.
Reaffirming his commitment to peace, unity and the continued development of Kano State, he assured the people of the state that governance would remain his top priority.
The governor’s resignation was followed by that of 21 members of the State House of Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives, and chairmen of the 44 local government aread across the state—representing one of the largest mass defections in recent political history in Kano.
The Secretary of the NNPP in Ɗiso-Chiranchi Ward, Hon. Kabiru Zubairu, acknowledged the receipt of the governor’s resignation letter and expressed regret over Yusuf’s exit.
He said: “I wish to concur with His Excellency on the lingering crisis in our party. Though we are trying our best to contain it, we have no option than to accept the resignation of one of the most performing governors of the NNPP.”
Zubairu praised the governor for what he described as significant achievements in infrastructure development, urban renewal, healthcare, education, and economic empowerment.
He added that the party would feel the impact of Yusuf’s departure.
