Defection: “You Will Not Escape Judgment” – NNPP Warns Gov Yusuf

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has warned that Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf will face political consequences for leaving the party, describing his decision as a betrayal of trust.

Governor Yusuf resigned from the NNPP on Friday, citing what he described as an irreparable crisis within the party. He defected alongside members of the House of Representatives and the Kano State House of Assembly, following a private meeting with President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement, NNPP National Publicity Secretary Ladipo Johnson rejected Yusuf’s claims of internal disarray, pointing to recent party congresses and successful elections in Bagwai/Shanono and Ghari/Tsanyawa constituencies as evidence of stability.

“We are deeply saddened and disappointed by the decision of His Excellency, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, to leave the New Nigeria Peoples Party,” the party said. “History has shown that those who swap loyalty for convenience seldom avoid being judged by the public.”

The NNPP drew parallels to the defection of former Kano governor Abubakar Rimi in the 1980s, noting that despite moving with a large group of lawmakers, Rimi lost the subsequent election, and nearly all defectors failed to win re-election.

The party urged supporters and the public to remain calm, emphasizing that political choices made out of convenience rather than conviction are ultimately judged by the people.