As political tension heightens in Kano State over reports of a possible defection by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to the All Progressives Congress (APC), an old video showing the governor pledging loyalty to his political mentor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has resurfaced and gone viral.
The footage, recorded around July 2024, has gained renewed attention amid growing speculation that Yusuf may dump the New Nigeria Peoples Party for the APC this January.
In the video, which was recorded during a late-night interaction with journalists at the Government House in Kano, Yusuf dismissed claims of a rift between him and Kwankwaso, describing such narratives as divisive and disrespectful.
“By saying I should stand on my own feet, they are insulting me and indirectly dismissing all the achievements of my administration,” Yusuf said while reacting to the emergence of the ‘Abba Tsaya da Kafarka’ Movement at the time.
The slogan, which translates to “Abba, stand on your own feet,” was widely interpreted as a veiled call on the governor to assert political independence from Kwankwaso’s influence.
The governor stressed that loyalty was central to his political life and that of the people of Kano, crediting Kwankwaso for his emergence as governor.
“God gave me the opportunity to be governor, but Kwankwaso’s support made it possible. Why should I betray him?” Yusuf asked in the video.
He accused those promoting the narrative of deliberately attempting to sow discord, insisting that his focus remained governance and service delivery.
“I have always been loyal,” he said.
In the same footage, Yusuf also denied reports that he had been ignoring phone calls from Kwankwaso.
He explained that he deliberately chose not to pursue legal action against a media organisation that published the claim, saying it was out of respect for the journalism profession.
“I could have challenged the journalist who wrote that story, but I chose not to because I respect this profession and want to work with the media, not against it,” he stated.
The resurfacing of the video comes amid the governor’s continued silence over the defection rumours, a development that has further fuelled speculation within political circles in Kano State.
However, Kwankwaso, who leads the Kwankwasiyya Movement, has publicly rejected calls for Yusuf to defect to the APC.
Speaking on Saturday at his private residence in Kano, the former governor said he was opposed to any planned defection.
“If they continue on this path, there will come a time when people will say Ganduje’s betrayal was even better despite how rotten he is,” Kwankwaso said, referring to Governor Yusuf and his supporters advocating defection to the APC.