National leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has alleged that public office holders and political appointees in Kano State are being pressured to endorse the planned defection of Governor Abba Yusuf to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Kwankwaso made the allegation in a short video shared on Facebook by his aide, Saifullahi Hassan, on Tuesday. He claimed that state lawmakers, local government chairmen, councillors and other political appointees were being compelled to choose between the Kwankwasiyya movement and the Gandujiyya political bloc aligned with the APC.
According to the former Kano State governor, several affected officials have contacted him to express distress over the situation since the political crisis began.
He said some of them had suffered severe emotional and physical strain, including sleepless nights and hospitalisation, as a result of the pressure being mounted on them.
“Today, January 13, 2026, I returned to town and received both good and unpleasant news, particularly the decision by the government asking chairmen, councillors, secretaries and other political appointees to declare whether they support Kwankwasiyya or Gandujiyya. This is very unfortunate,” Kwankwaso said.
He disclosed that, following consultations with key stakeholders, he advised those allegedly coerced to append their signatures or comply with government directives in order to ease the pressure on them.
“We told those who were forced to sign to go ahead and do so. This will reduce the hardship they are facing. We know the battle for 2027 is still ahead. Our supporters are there; they know themselves and we know them,” he added.
Kwankwaso also thanked members of the public and party caucuses who, he said, were similarly pressured or lured with promises during the unfolding crisis.
In a conciliatory note, he praised Governor Yusuf for recently commending the achievements of the Kwankwaso-led administration and criticising the previous government for abandoning key projects.
The political tension followed speculation that Governor Yusuf was planning to defect from the NNPP to the APC, reportedly against the wishes of his political mentor, Kwankwaso.
