Why I returned to APC — Gov Yusuf

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has explained that his decision to rejoin the All Progressives Congress (APC) was driven by the need to ensure political stability, fast-track development and improve the welfare of residents of the state.

Yusuf formally defected to the APC on Monday. His spokesperson, Sunusi Dawakin Tofa, confirmed the move in a statement issued on Tuesday.

According to the governor, the decision followed extensive consultations and a careful evaluation of Kano State’s political and developmental needs.

“After wide consultations, careful reflection and a sober assessment of the present realities and future needs of Kano State, I have decided to politically align Kano State with the All Progressives Congress, the ruling party at the federal level,” Yusuf said.

He emphasised that the move was not motivated by personal ambition but by what he described as the best interest of the state and its people.

“This decision is not driven by personal ambition or political excitement. It is anchored on one overriding consideration — the stability, progress and wellbeing of Kano State and its people,” he stated.

The governor noted that aligning with the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would strengthen cooperation, enhance service delivery and open up more opportunities for development in the state.

“My return to the APC is based on the necessity of working in closer alignment with the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Yusuf added.

He said the people of Kano were more concerned about tangible development than political rivalry, assuring that the defection would lead to improved infrastructure and economic growth.

Yusuf also sought to reassure his former political allies, stressing that the move would not weaken existing relationships or diminish their contributions to the state.

He appealed to residents across political, ethnic and generational lines to support the new alignment in the interest of a united and prosperous Kano State.

At the reception ceremony, former Kano State governor and ex-national chairman of the APC, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, formally received Yusuf into the party and declared him the APC leader in the state.

Ganduje announced that party members who had shown interest in contesting the 2027 governorship election had agreed to step down in support of Yusuf’s second-term bid.

Also speaking, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin called on party members to mobilise ahead of future elections and give full support to the governor’s re-election ambition.

The Kano State APC Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, assured party supporters of unity, pledging that the party structure would fully back the governor.

The event was attended by serving and former lawmakers, former deputy governors, ministers and other key APC stakeholders from across the state.