Defection: I Didn’t Betray Kwankwasiyya Movement, I’m APC  Leader In Kano Not Ganduje — Abba Yusuf

By  Olumuyiwa Olumuyiwa

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has stated that he did not betray the Kwankwasiyya movement by defecting from the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) citing the internal crisis in his former party for his decision.

Yusuf also noted that former National Chairman of the ruling APC and one of his predecessors in office, Umar Ganduje, can’t give him instructions adding that by the  virtue of his office he is the leader of his new party in Kano.

The Kano governor spoke while addressing his supporters on the deluge of criticisms trailing his defection and allied political matters.

He said, “I want to reaffirm that in breaking away from our former movement, we did not commit any wrongdoing. We raised concerns about the state of affairs in the party because we foresaw the crisis. We offered advice, but it was dismissed.

“By the grace of God, we acted early. If we had not taken that step, millions of people in Kano would have been affected. Today, there is calm, and the truth is clear for all to see.

The governor continued, “Today, they accuse us of betrayal. But were Kwankwasiyya members informed before some decided to dump the NNPP? Isn’t that also betrayal?

“They say Abba has followed Ganduje to hand over what was entrusted to him. The question is: who is the leader of APC in Kano Today?” he asked, to which supporters responded, “Abba is the leader!”

“Is that betrayal or progress? Abba, who was alone in NNPP, is now among over 31 governors. Is that backwardness or progress?” he further asked.

“What exists between me and Ganduje is mutual respect. But he cannot give me instructions because I am the leader,” Yusuf added.