…You can’t betray me to succeed ―Kwankwaso

The much-anticipated defection of Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has allegedly been postponed.

This is just as leader of the NNPP and former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, warned party members against political betrayal, insisting that defection from the movement has never brought lasting success.

According to a reliable source who preferred anonymity, the official defection of the governor earlier scheduled for Monday, January 5, 2026, has now been shifted to Monday, January 12, 2026.

The source noted that Governor Yusuf requested additional time to conclude consultations with key political actors.

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The source, who was present at a meeting between Governor Yusuf and Vice President Kashim Shettima in Abuja on Friday, said the governor is seeking to engage a few remaining state legislators and other critical stakeholders who are yet to fully align with the proposed political realignment.

“Kano is a politically sensitive state and the governor wants to ensure that all necessary consultations are completed before making such a major decision,” the source said.

But Kwankwaso, who spoke during a meeting with supporters at his residence in Kano, said he was neither surprised nor disturbed by the alleged moves of some members planning to defect from the party to rival political parties.

In a viral video from the gathering circulating on social media, Kwankwaso stressed that political history is unforgiving to those who abandon the movements that brought them to prominence.

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“I want to remind those who left us that nobody has betrayed us and succeeded,” Kwankwaso said. “Political history is very clear on this matter. Those who believe they can rise by betraying the people and the movement they came from should think deeply.”

The former governor, who was the NNPP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, said the strength of the party does not depend on the loyalty of a few political office holders but on the support of ordinary citizens, who believe in the ideals of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.

“I am not disturbed by these developments.

“What truly matters is the support of the masses, not the movement of a few politicians who are chasing personal interests,” he added.

Kwankwaso pointed to the large turnout of supporters at the meeting as evidence that the NNPP continues to enjoy strong grassroots backing across Kano State despite the rumours of political realignments.

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“You can see with your own eyes the number of people who came here today. This shows clearly that our movement is alive, strong and firmly rooted among the people of Kano,” he said.

He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to people-centred governance, social justice and political inclusion, describing the Kwankwasiyya Movement as bigger than any individual and resilient to political manoeuvring or defections.

Kano, long regarded as a strategic hub of northern Nigerian politics, has been rife with speculation following reports of the governor’s planned defection. The development has continued to generate intense political interest, with analysts saying that Yusuf’s move could significantly alter the balance of power in the state.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Kano State government nor the leadership of the NNPP and APC has issued an official statement on the postponed defection.

Ex-Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, has reacted to the arraignment of a former Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami, before an Abuja Federal High Court.

Melaye wished Malami well as he began his trial for corruption.

Posting on X, the former lawmaker recalled how he was prosecuted by Malami over what he described as frivolous cases while he was the AGF.

He wrote: “Reminded me of how I was appearing in different courts when Malami as AGF was prosecuting me over frivolous cases including taking over one of the police cases against me. Wish him.well.”

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Malami, his son Abdulaziz, and another individual are facing a 16-count charge of money laundering.

They were arraigned on allegations of unlawful acquisition and concealment of funds.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, of being a constant agent of provocation in the political space, alleging that he creates trouble to mask selfish intentions.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, stated this in a statement issued on Monday in response to Wike’s media parley with selected journalists in Port Harcourt, also held on Monday.

According to the PDP, remarks made by the minister on several occasions are proof that he falls short of being a locus classicus of anti-democratic adventurism.

The party said Wike’s conduct was not new, stressing that he has consistently acted as an agent provocateur in the political arena, stirring controversy to advance personal interests.

READ ALSO:Wike Speaks On Defecting To APC

The PDP further stated that since Wike assumed office as Governor of Rivers State in 2015, he has remained a recurrent source of trouble within the party’s leadership.

“From the Sheriff era, where he was a forerunner in the Sheriff-for-National Chairman movement and later turned to fight and remove Sheriff; later he championed the Uche Secondus-for-National Chairman movement (in fact, he granted a very combustible interview that polarized the party just before the convention) and then was the same person fighting to remove Secondus.

“The same Wike led the movement to produce Dr. Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman against the advice of many party leaders, and so soon thereafter, it was Wike again who led the Ayu-must-go struggle.

“By his end-of-year media chat, Minister Nyesom Wike has reiterated his support for, and in fact declared that he is the ‘number one supporter’ of the presumptive candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 Presidential election, while remaining a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, confirming the basis of his expulsion from the PDP, for anti-party activities,” the statement said.