Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has formally defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing the need to act in the best interest of the people of the state.

Yusuf announced his defection on Monday at an event held at the Coronation Hall of the Kano State Government House, Kano.

According to him, the decision was driven by the need to foster unity, political stability, and accelerate development across the state.

The governor had earlier resigned from the NNPP on Friday, attributing his exit to deepening internal crises and prolonged leadership disputes within the party.

“My foremost priority remains the delivery of good governance and the dividends of democracy to the people of Kano State,” Yusuf said.

Several prominent APC leaders were present at the event, including former National Chairman of the party and ex-Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin; and Senator Kawu Sumaila.

Members of the Kano State Executive Council, party stakeholders, and other government officials also attended the event.

Yusuf’s defection comes just hours after 21 members of the Kano State House of Assembly also defected from the NNPP to the APC.

Reacting to the development, Ganduje announced that the APC had resolved to grant Governor Yusuf an automatic ticket ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Ganduje, who spoke during the governor’s formal reception into the APC, said the party’s 2023 governorship candidate, his running mate, and other aspirants had agreed to step down and support Yusuf’s re-election bid.

“The party is happy to receive the governor of Kano State and his supporters into the APC,” Ganduje said.

“There is no crisis in the APC in Kano State. We have consulted widely, and our 2023 governorship candidate and his running mate have assured us of their full support. Others who indicated interest have also stepped down in support of the governor.

“In APC, we have a clear arrangement: whoever is the sitting governor automatically assumes the position of party leader in the state.

“APC is a party that respects its people and values unity among its elders. With this development, we are confident of victory in 2027.”