Get Guardian on GoogleZainab, the daughter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, has filed for divorce from her husband, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, after 20 years of marriage.
The divorce application was filed at the Upper Area Court in Gudu, less than 500 kilometres from their Kano residence.
According to Islamic Jurisprudence, the process of separation is known as Khul’i, which allows the wife to initiate and obtain it, usually in exchange for the return of her dowry.
Governor Abba Yusuf is expected to appear before the court on 17th November, according to a court summons with reference number CV/97/26.
Kwankwaso’s daughter cited a persistent lack of reciprocal love, affection, and emotional connection as leading to the breakdown of the marriage in her particulars of claim.
Zainab said that she has fallen out of love for her husband and developed deep hatred for the marriage. She added that continuing with the marriage will make it difficult for her to fulfil her marital obligations according to the provision of Allah.
Consequently, Zainab has offered to refund the diary Governor Abba Yusuf paid during their marriage in order to facilitate the divorce process.
Governor Abba Yusuf is yet to respond to the divorce petition filed by Zainab, according to documents available in court as of the time of this report.
Zainab got married to the Kano State Governor on 29th July, 2006, when he was serving as one of the aides to Rabiu Kwankwaso, and the couple has six children together.
Governor Abba Yusuf was a close associate of Rabiu Kwankwaso, and both belonged to the New Nigeria People’s Party.
However, Abba Yusuf resigned from the party in January and switched camp to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the dismay of his former principal.
Meanwhile, Rabiu Kwankwaso dumped the NNDP in March as he joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The former Kano State Governor spent two months in the party before joining the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as the vice-presidential candidate of the party alongside the presidential candidate, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2027 general election.
