Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf has hit back at critics of his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying recent developments in the state have exposed those he described as “betrayers” and “enemies” within the political fold.
Top Society recalls that on the day Yusuf ditched the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), his estranged godfather, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who heads the Kwankwasiyya Movement, called it world betrayal day.
The Governor has now come out to clarify that his decision to quit the NNPP was in the best interest of Kano people and not an act of disloyalty as alleged by opponents. He alleged that his former deputy, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo attempted to remove him from power and take his position.
Governor Yusuf made the allegation when he hosted some praise singers (Mawallafan Abba Gida Gida) at the Government House, Kano, on Thursday.
Gwarzo resigned from his position amid the plot of the state assembly to impeach him. But the assembly withdrew the impeachment proceedings after Gwarzo’s resignation.
While interfacing with the singers, the Governor said that he has not yet seen the resignation letter of the former deputy governor, claiming his administration did not offend Abdussalam in any way.
“Today, the deputy governor who came with us on the same ticket is no longer with us. Nobody offended him. In fact, I have not even seen his resignation letter, what concerns me with it?
“Whatever made him act that way was an attempt to remove me and take the position, but God did not allow it,” Yusuf stated.
The Governor also raised concerns over the treatment of the former deputy governor in the Kwankwasiyya camp, questioning why he was not considered for the same opportunity he reportedly sought.
“The deputy governor who left, hoping to secure that ticket, what did he do wrong? Why not give him the ticket? Is that not a betrayal of him?” he queried.
Yusuf maintained that those accusing him of betrayal had themselves taken similar political decisions, noting that the same circumstances that informed his exit from the NNPP were being overlooked.
According to him, members of the Kwankwasiyya movement were not consulted before key decisions were taken within the party, raising concerns over internal democracy.
“Kwankwasiyya members were not even informed before the decision to leave the NNPP was taken, so were they betrayed or not?” he queried.
The Governor insisted that his action was guided by the need to prevent uncertainty for millions of Kano residents, adding that efforts to resolve internal issues within the party were ignored.
“We saw the direction the party was heading and offered advice, but it was ignored. God showed us the way, and we left because we did not want to put millions of Kano residents in uncertainty,” he said.
The governor added that unfolding events had vindicated his earlier stance, insisting that the concerns he raised before leaving the party had come to pass.
He also criticised what he described as the emergence of new political actors being favoured despite their past opposition to the movement.
“Now, the person who was once our biggest enemy and made things difficult for us during the elections, the same person Ganduje was promoting is the one they are now putting forward. Is that not a betrayal of Kwankwasiyya members?” he asked.
Yusuf asserted that his administration remains focused, noting that credible individuals are already showing interest in filling the vacant deputy governorship position.
“We will remain here until the day God has destined for us to leave. We are grateful to Him. Now, the deputy governor is gone, and credible individuals are aspiring to the position,” he added.
He questioned ongoing political permutations within the Kwankwasiyya fold, particularly the alleged grooming of new entrants for key positions ahead of long-standing members.
“Today, the biggest enemy of Kwankwasiyya is the same person being positioned to receive the governorship ticket. He only just joined, yet they are grooming him, is that not a betrayal to Kwankwasiyya members?” he asked.
