Kwankwaso Declares January 23 ‘World Betrayal Day’ After Abba Yusuf’s Exit from NNPP

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has announced January 23 as “World Betrayal Day,” following the resignation of Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf from the party.

Kwankwaso made the declaration on Friday while addressing supporters at his residence in Kano, amid reports of Yusuf’s planned defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). He said the decision was taken under the banner of the Kwankwasiyya movement to mark what he described as acts of betrayal against the group.

Speaking in Hausa, Kwankwaso said discussions about betrayal had gained traction on social media, including a suggestion that January 23 be formally recognised for that purpose.

“I saw many discussions about betrayal on social media,” he said. “One person suggested that January 23 should be declared World Betrayal Day. As the leader of this movement, I have accepted that suggestion. From now on, January 23 will be observed as Betrayal Day.”

Earlier on January 23, Governor Yusuf officially resigned from the NNPP, the party under which he was elected governor in 2023. His exit was accompanied by 21 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives, and all 44 local government chairmen in the state.

In his resignation letter, Yusuf cited deepening internal crises and prolonged leadership disputes within the NNPP as reasons for his decision.

The development came days after Yusuf met with President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja, a meeting that fuelled speculation about his political future.

Kwankwaso was instrumental in Yusuf’s emergence as governor through the Kwankwasiyya political movement. However, in recent months, there had been growing reports of a breakdown in the relationship between both politicians.