Galadima Links Yusuf’s Defection To Betrayal Of Kwankwaso

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has condemned Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), calling it a decision driven by self‑preservation rather than the interest of Kano people.

In an interview with Arise News on Tuesday, the Secretary of the NNPP Board of Trustees, Buba Galadima, said the governor’s alignment with former Kano governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, a long‑time rival of NNPP leader Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, amounted to a betrayal of the political movement that delivered him power.

Galadima said when asked whether the defection served Kano, “His own personal interest, personal, personal, personal.

“Not Kano people. Not peace in Kano. He wanted us to swallow it, but we can neither take any of the above.”

He argued that the decision would have been perceived differently had Yusuf defected to a party other than the APC.

He further stated, “Had Governor Yusuf moved from NNPP to another platform other than APC, I could have said he moved well. But in this case, it is only a matter of survival.”

Galadima described the defection as a historic betrayal and said it had deeply affected the NNPP leadership.

He said, “If I could shed tears over anything, this touched me beyond expression. I don’t give in to sentiment easily, but this cut deep.”

He recalled the effort invested in ensuring Yusuf’s victory in the gubernatorial race.

Galadima added, “There is nothing under the sun we did not do for Abba Kabir Yusuf to prevail, and he did prevail. For three days, Kwankwaso and I did not sleep. We travelled, we struggled, we put everything on the line.”

Galadima further credited former President Muhammadu Buhari with affirming Yusuf’s victory after prolonged legal battles.

He said, “The man who took our victory in 2019 and gave it to Ganduje later stood firm and said, ‘This boy won his election. Give him his victory.’ Abba Kabir Yusuf was made governor through the courts and through Buhari. God was at work.”

The NNPP chieftain accused Yusuf of abandoning the principles that sustained him.

The NNPP chieftain said, “He left what he trusted before and put his faith in human beings. He believed that even if he won again, APC would still take it, so why not join them?”

Responding to claims that Yusuf freed himself from Kwankwaso’s influence, Galadima insisted such narratives were superficial.

Galadima noted, “Three months into his tenure, he abandoned Kwankwaso. But publicly, he still treated him like a king. What happens behind closed doors is different.”

Galadima said the NNPP purposely remained silent until Yusuf publicly announced his exit.

He said, “We decided to keep quiet so that he would use his own mouth to say he was leaving us. Today, we have the sympathy of the people of Kano.”

Galadima asserted that Yusuf had already lost grassroots support in Kano.

The NNPP chieftain stated, “If today there is a free and fair election, Abba Kabir Yusuf cannot get five per cent of the votes of Kano people.”

He lamented the symbolic image of Yusuf appearing alongside Ganduje.

He said, “All of them, Ganduje, Bado Jibril, others, were products of Kwankwaso’s political school. Seeing them raise Abba’s hand is bitter.”

On the motivations behind the defection, Galadima suggested it stemmed from envy of Kwankwaso’s popularity.

He further stated, “They felt Kwankwaso was too accepted by the ordinary people. They thought they could destroy him. They cannot.”

Galadima also dismissed the idea that Yusuf’s call against blind loyalty was aimed at Kwankwaso.

The politician said, “That message was not for Kwankwaso. It was for his new masters, Tinubu and Ganduje, to say he will not show blind loyalty to them either.”

On whether Yusuf was ever truly committed to the NNPP, Galadima was blunt.

According to Galadima, “I don’t think he was ever NNPP. He was only a beneficiary of the NNPP.”

He alleged that Yusuf had been aligned with APC interests even while in office under the NNPP banner.

While accusing Yusuf of not working for NNPP, he said, “He was not working for NNPP. He was working for APC.”

NNPP Pledges Survival Despite Setback

Despite losing its only governor, Galadima insisted the party would endure. He said, “Before him, we had nobody, no councillor, no legislator, no governor. What stopped God from doing that miracle once cannot stop Him again.”

Turning to national politics, Galadima claimed President Bola Tinubu was consolidating power ahead of the 2027 election.

He said, “If Tinubu has performed well, why does he need everybody to join his party? Why is he encouraging betrayal?”

He accused the federal government of coercive tactics against opposition figures.

“By using the EFCC, the ICPC and coercing the judiciary,” he said. Galadima also warned against electoral manipulation in 2027.

He said, “Nobody can afford to rig the 2027 elections. Nigeria is no longer the Nigeria of yesterday. The people will not accept it.”

As the interview concluded, Galadima expressed frustration over time constraints. He said, “Next time, if you don’t have sufficient time for me, don’t call me.”