By BANNERNEWS Reporter
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has triggered a wave of resignations across his cabinet and key government agencies in Kano State.
Within 48 hours of the political switch, several commissioners and top aides who declined to follow the governor into the APC formally resigned their appointments, citing loyalty to the Kwankwasiyya movement led by former governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The first major exit was Alhaji Laminu Rabiu, Director General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board and son of Yusuf’s former political benefactor, Senator Kwankwaso, who resigned on January 25, citing political realignment and party loyalty.
Rabiu said stepping aside would allow him to fully align with the strategic direction of the Kwankwasiyya movement, while preserving internal cohesion, and thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve.
On January 26, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Special Services, Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Umaru (rtd), also resigned, describing the decision as difficult but necessary in view of recent political developments.
Umaru said his service was guided by the principles of the Kwankwasiyya movement, emphasising justice, discipline and service to the people, and expressed gratitude to Governor Yusuf for the trust reposed in him.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Nasiru Sule Garo, tendered his resignation the same day, thanking the governor for the opportunity to serve and pledging cooperation to ensure a smooth handover.
Garo described his tenure as an honour and wished the state continued progress, while stopping short of directly referencing the governor’s defection.
The political shake-up also extended to state agencies, with the Managing Director of the Kano State Roads Maintenance Agency (KARMA), Hassan Danbappa, resigning his appointment with immediate effect.
Although Danbappa did not publicly state his reasons, his exit further deepened the sense of uncertainty within the state government following the defection.
In their separate letters, the resigning officials largely expressed appreciation to Governor Yusuf, while stressing the need to realign politically in line with their convictions.
The resignations underscore the deep political fault lines reopened by the governor’s departure from the NNPP, the party that rode on the Kwankwasiyya platform to victory in the 2023 elections.
Political observers say more resignations could follow as the administration undergoes rapid restructuring to reflect its new partisan alignment.
As of press time, the Kano State Government had yet to officially announce replacements for the vacated positions.
