Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has openly accused Abba Kabir Yusuf, Governor of Kano State, of betraying the trust of the party and the people who brought him to power.
In a strongly worded reaction to Yusuf’s resignation from the NNPP, Kwankwaso described the move as a “cold and painful betrayal,” insisting that the governor rode on the strength, structure, and loyalty of the Kwankwasiyya Movement to win the election. According to him, the mandate Yusuf currently holds belongs to the movement and the party, not to personal ambition.
Kwankwaso dismissed claims that internal party crises forced the governor’s exit, arguing that the explanation was an afterthought that could not justify what he called a deliberate abandonment of political principles. He stressed that loyalty and trust are the foundation of any serious political movement and warned that such actions weaken democratic values.
In a symbolic and emotionally charged response, Kwankwaso announced January 23 as “World Betrayal Day,” a move he said was inspired by public reactions to Yusuf’s decision. The declaration, according to him, is meant to serve as a reminder of the consequences of political disloyalty.
Despite the sharp rebuke, NNPP leaders urged supporters in Kano to remain calm and avoid actions that could deepen political tensions in the state. Meanwhile, political observers believe the development signals a major realignment in Kano’s power structure, with growing indications that Governor Yusuf may soon pitch his tent elsewhere.
