APC Speaks On Automatic Ticket For Yusuf After Defection

The Kano State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Abbas, has declared that the party is open to receiving Governor Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), amid ongoing speculation about his possible defection.

Abbas said the party would not turn away any political figure willing to join its ranks, stressing that politics thrives on numbers and inclusion.

“He is welcome to our party, because politically, no right-thinking politician will reject a political addition. As you know, politics is a game of numbers,” Abbas said in an interview with Daily Trust.

According to the party chairman, welcoming Yusuf and his allies would strengthen the APC’s electoral base ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Defection to your party means addition to your number and, by extension, an increase to our success during the polls,” he stated.

He reaffirmed the party’s long-standing position that anyone willing to join is welcome.

“We have made our point clear on several occasions that we will welcome anyone that has seen the beauty of our party and wants to join us,” he added.

No Automatic Ticket Talks Yet

On concerns that Governor Yusuf may be eyeing an automatic ticket in exchange for his defection, Abbas said such conversations were premature.

“That is not an issue for now. It’s an issue of when all processes are completed and whoever is coming has finalized his or her defection processes,” he said.

Abbas noted that Yusuf would likely be accompanied by a wave of defectors, including elected local government chairmen, councillors, and other office holders.

“There are elected local government chairmen, councilors, and other political office holders that will defect to our party with him,” he confirmed.

He assured party loyalists that the APC would develop a strategy to integrate both old and new members harmoniously.

“We will sit down and map out a strategy that all will benefit from. There will be no crisis between old members and the new ones,” he added.

With an eye on the next general election, Abbas said the APC’s priority remains building a unified front capable of winning in 2027.

“We await his coming, and believe me, we will work out a modality that will ensure the success of the party in a unanimous manner,” he said.

Abbas also responded to speculation surrounding delays in Governor Yusuf’s defection, saying such moves require careful planning and due process.

“A governor’s defection is not something that one can just wake up one day and say, ‘I have decamped.’ There are processes involved, and until those are completed, the defection remains a plan yet to be executed,” he said.

He further dismissed rumours that the governor had earlier scheduled a defection date.

“The governor didn’t openly declare that he was coming to APC on a particular date,” Abbas clarified.