TOP leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday formally received Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf popularly known as Abba Gida-Gida, into the ruling party at a massive rally held at the Sani Abacha Stadium, marking a dramatic shift in the political landscape of Kano State.
News Point Nigeria reports that the event attracted thousands of supporters, party stalwarts, federal lawmakers, and political stakeholders from across the country, underscoring the significance of the governor’s defection.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu, described Kano as a politically strategic and cosmopolitan state whose influence transcends geography and party affiliations.
“Kano is an elegant expression of Nigeria’s cosmopolitan soul. Whenever Kano speaks, the nation listens — not just because of its population, but because of its historic role in shaping political thought, commerce and culture in this country,” Shettima declared.
He stressed that no serious political actor could ignore Kano’s central role in Nigeria’s democratic evolution and congratulated Yusuf for what he termed a courageous and forward-looking decision.
“Kano is too important to remain on the sidelines. Today’s alignment strengthens our collective resolve to build a more inclusive and prosperous Nigeria,” the vice president added.
Shettima also conveyed President Tinubu’s sympathy over the recent Singer Market fire outbreak in Kano, announcing that the Federal Government had approved N5 billion to support affected traders, while the APC Governors’ Forum pledged additional assistance.
APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, described the party as the largest political family in Africa and welcomed Yusuf back to what he called his “natural political home.”
“Unite Kano, unite your people and build a progressive state. Take this as a sign of coming back home. You are welcome,” Yilwatda said.
Also in attendance were Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and former Kano State Governor and ex-APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, alongside the governors of Jigawa State, Kebbi State, Kaduna State, Sokoto State, and Imo State.
Their presence highlighted what party insiders described as a coordinated show of strength and unity.
In his address, Governor Yusuf said his defection was guided by the overriding public interest and the need to guarantee political stability for Kano State.
He explained that internal disagreements and uncertainties within his former political platform had begun to distract from governance.
“As leaders, there comes a time when you must take a clear decision in the overriding public interest,” he said.
Yusuf emphasized Kano’s economic and demographic importance, noting that the state could not afford to be politically disconnected from the centre.
“Kano is too strategic and too important to remain disconnected from the centre of national governance. Development today is driven by alignment, cooperation and access to national opportunities,” he stated.
He insisted the move was not driven by personal ambition but by the desire to reposition Kano for accelerated growth under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
“Our people are not interested in endless political battles. They want better roads, infrastructure, jobs for our youths, security for our communities and a government focused on delivery,” the governor said.
Yusuf disclosed that the defection was a collective decision involving the majority of Kano’s political structure.
According to him, nine out of ten members of the House of Representatives from Kano, a majority of members of the Kano State House of Assembly, as well as all 44 local government chairmen and councillors in the state, had joined the APC.
“This collective action reflects our shared commitment to the stability and progress of Kano State,” he said.
He assured residents that his administration’s “Kano First” philosophy would remain intact, promising fairness, inclusiveness, and improved service delivery.
“As we move forward, our politics must strengthen Kano, not divide it. The task before us is good governance, and governance requires unity and focus,” Yusuf added.
The rally climaxed with party leaders symbolically presenting the APC flag to the governor amid loud cheers from supporters, signalling what many observers described as the beginning of a new political chapter in Kano.
For Kano, one of Nigeria’s most influential political states, Monday’s rally may well mark a turning point in its evolving political trajectory.