By Some Kwankwasiyya youth groups in Kano State have expressed willingness to politically align with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf following his defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) on Friday.
Governor Yusuf attributed his decision to deepening internal crises and persistent leadership disputes within the party.
He conveyed his resignation in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the NNPP in Diso–Chiranchi Ward, Gwale Local Government Area, with effect from January 25, 2026.
“In recent times, the party has been confronted with persistent internal challenges arising from leadership disagreements and ongoing legal processes, many of which are presently before the courts for judicial determination,” Yusuf stated.
He added that the disputes had resulted in growing disenfranchisement among party members, widening internal divisions and weakening cohesion.
Speaking at a youth engagement forum in Kano on Saturday, the Kwankwasiyya groups said their support for the governor would depend on his administration addressing issues of marginalisation and lack of inclusion in governance.
Kwankwasiyya is a political movement associated with Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the national leader of the NNPP.
Aminu Abdullahi, popularly known as Alhaji Warkal, who spoke on behalf of the groups, said the youths were not opposed to Governor Yusuf personally but were reacting to what they described as their exclusion from decision-making and government programmes.
“We are not saying we will never move with him. We will align with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf if the government genuinely carries the youths along and gives them a sense of belonging,” Abdullahi said.
He noted that many young people who worked for the success of the Kwankwasiyya movement and the NNPP during the 2023 elections felt abandoned after the party’s victory.
“These youths sacrificed their time, energy and resources to bring the government into power. However, after the victory, they were not involved in programmes, consultations or opportunities that concern them,” he said.
According to Abdullahi, the lack of youth inclusion has fuelled growing frustration among supporters of the movement in Kano.
“You cannot expect young people to follow blindly when they are not embedded in governance. Youth engagement is key to reducing crime and social tension,” he added.
