News
Governor Abba Yusuf’s Planned Defection to APC Postponed? See why.
The anticipated defection of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has been postponed, with the new date set for Monday, January 12, 2026.
The move, originally scheduled for January 5—coinciding with the governor’s 63rd birthday—was delayed following a meeting between Governor Yusuf and Vice President Kashim Shettima in Abuja on Friday.
Reports suggest that Yusuf personally requested additional time to conduct further consultations with key stakeholders, including state legislators, National Assembly members from Kano, and other political figures who have yet to fully commit to the transition.
“The governor wants to ensure broader alignment before formalizing the defection,” one anonymous source present at the Abuja meeting told reporters.
The postponement comes amid intensifying political realignments in Kano, Nigeria’s most populous state, ahead of the 2027 general elections. Yusuf’s potential switch to the APC is seen as a major boost for the ruling party, potentially consolidating its dominance in the North and neutralizing internal rivalries, including ambitions from figures like Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.
However, the plan has deepened rifts within the NNPP and the influential Kwankwasiyya movement led by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Yusuf’s longtime political mentor. Kwankwaso has publicly rejected the defection rumors, urging supporters to pray against it and warning that it would betray the party’s mandate.
NNPP national leadership has dissolved its Kano executive committee in response to the crisis, while some party officials have labeled the move a “betrayal.” Despite this, reports indicate strong backing for Yusuf from most state assembly members, local government chairmen, and grassroots structures.
Political analysts describe the development as reflective of broader calculations, with the APC reportedly coordinating at the highest levels to welcome Yusuf. If completed, the defection would leave the NNPP without its only sitting governor, significantly weakening its national standing.
As consultations continue, Kano remains a focal point of Nigeria’s fluid political landscape.
A joint security operation against terrorists has led to the rescue of nine persons in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
According to inside sources, Forest Guards, under the supervision of the Directorate of Security Services and working with members of the local hunters and vigilante group, embarked on bush-combing operations. They discovered a hideout of the kidnappers and engaged them.
Nine persons were rescued in two separate operations in the forest of Obbo Aiyegunle. One of the kidnappers was neutralised while others fled with gunshot injuries.
One of the rescued persons is said to be receiving medical care at an undisclosed medical facility in the local government.
News
Zamfara LG Chairman Abduction: Security operatives intensify rescue efforts
Security forces are currently conducting deliberate operations at the suspected location of the terrorists, aimed at safely rescuing the abducted Chairman.
• Family of the abducted Zamfara LG Chairman
Aliyu Danjal, Lieutenant Colonel Media Information Officer Joint Task Force (North West) Operation FANSAN YAMMA, disclosed that on hearing gunshots, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA responded immediately and swiftly moved to the scene where they engaged in hot pursuit of the terrorists leading to a fierce exchange of fire.
News
IGP Disu orders officers to shoot anyone carrying illegal firearms
Disu explained that the directive was backed by Force Order 237, which empowers police officers to respond immediately to armed threats without waiting for approval from superior officers.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has directed police officers across the country to shoot on sight anyone found carrying illegal firearms, as part of intensified efforts to curb insecurity.
Disu issued the directive on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, saying the move followed President Bola Tinubu’s instruction that the lingering security crisis in the state must be brought to an end.
The police chief maintained that only authorised security personnel are legally permitted to carry firearms, warning that law enforcement agencies would no longer tolerate the unlawful possession of weapons.
” You cannot move around freely carrying arms as if there is no law and order in this country. It will not be tolerated,” he said.
Disu explained that the directive was backed by Force Order 237, which empowers police officers to respond immediately to armed threats without waiting for approval from superior officers.
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