THE political crisis rocking Kano State deepened on Saturday following the resignation of the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofarmata, from Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s cabinet.
Kofarmata announced his resignation in a letter dated January 25, 2026 sighted by News Point Nigeria, addressed to the governor, formally stepping down from his position and withdrawing from the State Executive Council.
In the letter, Kofarmata said his decision was informed by growing political tensions in the state and his concern that remaining in office under the prevailing circumstances could compromise his independence, objectivity, and professional integrity.
According to him, the increasing expectations of political loyalty and allegiance were inconsistent with the impartiality required of a commissioner.
“The integrity of the office of a State Commissioner rests on the ability to act without undue influence, partisan pressure or divided allegiance,” Kofarmata wrote.
“In the current circumstances, stepping aside is the most responsible course of action to safeguard the credibility of the office and preserve public confidence.”
He added that his resignation was also aimed at protecting his personal reputation and commitment to ethical public service.
“I sincerely hope that my resignation will help preserve my image and public confidence in the institution and allow it to function without question or constraint,” he said.
Kofarmata, who hails from Zango Ward in Kano Municipal Local Government Area, expressed gratitude to Governor Yusuf for the opportunity to serve in various capacities within the state government, noting that he had contributed to policy reforms and development initiatives during his tenure.
He was first appointed as Commissioner for Higher Education before being redeployed to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, where he served until his resignation.
Despite the unfolding defections linked to Governor Yusuf’s political realignment, Kofarmata is said to have remained loyal to Kwankwaso and did not defect from the NNPP.
In a related development, a reliable source told News Point Nigeria that Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, son of NNPP leader and former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has also indicated his intention to resign from his position as Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development.
According to the source, Mustapha has reached out to his father to seek permission to step down from the Abba Yusuf administration.
However, the source said Senator Kwankwaso advised his son against resigning, insisting that his appointment was a service to the people of Kano State rather than personal loyalty to the governor.
“It is not the right thing to resign. He is serving the people of Kano, not Governor Abba,” the source said.
The source further noted that Senator Kwankwaso cited examples from other states, including Kaduna, where former Governor Nasir El-Rufai left the APC while his son remained in the party and continued serving as a lawmaker.
Despite his father’s position, the source said Mustapha Kwankwaso remains insistent on resigning, although no formal letter has been submitted.
As of the time of filing this report, the Kano State Government had yet to issue an official response to Kofarmata’s resignation, although the letter was confirmed to have been received.