Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has formally resigned his membership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), citing deepening internal crises and persistent leadership disputes within the party.

The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Friday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, who said Yusuf conveyed his decision in a resignation letter addressed to the Chairman of the NNPP in Diso-Chiranchi Ward, Gwale Local Government Area.

“I write with a deep sense of gratitude to formally notify the leadership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) of my decision to resign my membership of the party, with effect from Friday, 23rd January 2026,” the governor said in the letter.

Governor Yusuf expressed appreciation to the NNPP for offering him a political platform and for the support he received from the party’s leadership and members across Kano State since 2022.

“I remain sincerely appreciative of the opportunity given to me by the party, its leadership, and members across Kano State to be part of its political journey since 2022, as well as the support, goodwill, and cooperation extended to me during my time in the party,” he stated.

However, Yusuf said his decision was prompted by unresolved internal disputes and prolonged legal battles that have continued to destabilise the party at both state and national levels.

“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,” he noted.

He added that the situation had led to growing disenfranchisement among members, widening divisions and weakening internal cohesion.

“The growing disenfranchisement among party members has created deep divisions within the party structure, resulting in cracks that appear increasingly irreconcilable and have generated uncertainty at both state and national levels,” he said.

The governor explained that his resignation followed careful reflection and was guided strictly by what he described as the best interest of the people of Kano State.

“After careful reflection, and without prejudice to the party’s capacity to resolve its internal challenges, I have come to the conclusion that my resignation is in the best interest of the people of Kano State,” he added.

Yusuf stressed that the decision was taken in good faith and without bitterness, reaffirming his commitment to peace, unity and the development of the state.

The statement disclosed that the governor’s resignation was accompanied by that of 21 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives, and all 44 elected local government chairmen across the state, alongside their deputies and several ward executives.

Acknowledging receipt of the resignation letter, the NNPP Secretary of Diso-Chiranchi Ward, Hon. Kabiru Zubairu, commended the governor’s performance in office.

“I wish to concur with His Excellency on the lingering crisis in our party. Though we are trying our best to contain it, we have no option but to accept the resignation of one of the most performing governors of the NNPP,” Zubairu said.

He praised Yusuf for what he described as notable achievements in infrastructure, urban renewal, health, education and economic empowerment.

Meanwhile, the statement noted that Deputy Governor Aminu Abdulsalam has chosen to remain in the NNPP and reaffirmed his loyalty to the party’s leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Some NNPP elected officials also declined to follow the governor to the All Progressives Congress (APC). They include the Senator representing Kano Central District, Rufa’i Hanga, and members of the House of Representatives — Mukhtar Yarima (Tarauni), Abdulkarim Ado (Wudil/Garko), Sani Wakili (Minjibir/Ungogo), and Tijjani Abdulkadir (Tofa/Dawakin Tofa).

Earlier, Kwankwaso had advised supporters who were under pressure to defect to the APC to do so, though it remains unclear whether those who initially resisted the governor’s move would heed his advice.

Governor Yusuf’s defection to the APC effectively ends a decades-long political association with Kwankwaso, under whom he served as a personal assistant and commissioner before emerging as governor in 2023.