• Ganduje, Barau endorse Yusuf for second term
• Plateau set to receive Mutfwang into APC as Wase hails realignment
• Atiku’s son joins APC, vows to oppose father’s 2027 ambition
• Kano commissioner Mustapha Kwankwaso resigns from cabinet
• LP chair says defections to APC won’t weaken opposition ahead of 2027

The APC is tightening its grip nationwide as governors, lawmakers and opposition figures’ relatives defect ahead of 2027, reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape and leaving rival parties scrambling despite Labour Party assurances.

Former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, yesterday endorsed Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for a second term in office.

The endorsement came shortly after Yusuf officially declared his return to the ruling APC, alongside 44 council chairmen, 22 members of the state assembly and nine federal lawmakers who had earlier left the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP).

Welcoming Yusuf back to the APC, Ganduje, a former two-term governor, declared the party’s unwavering support for his re-election in 2027 on the platform of the ruling party. He said, in line with the APC constitution, Yusuf automatically remains the party leader in Kano, assuring him of unalloyed loyalty.

“You are most welcome to APC and back to your home because we started and formed APC together with you. But due to political differences, you went on a political journey to PDP, NNPP and now back to APC.

“We know Governor Yusuf as a progressive politician through your disposition and good polices and how he has transformed and implemented his policies to the development in Kano. APC is 100 per cent with you. We assure you that we will support you to return for the second term in 2027,” Ganduje said.

Barau also declared support for Yusuf’s second-term bid, joining Ganduje in what appeared to be a united front behind the governor. Explaining his decision to rejoin the APC, Yusuf said it was borne out of shared interests, not personal aggrandisement, and driven by a renewed commitment to building a stable and peaceful Kano for overall development.

Although he confirmed his realignment from NNPP to APC, Yusuf said his political ideology would not be altered. Still wearing his Kwankwasiyya red cap, he pledged continued commitment to good governance and the empowerment of Kano residents.

“My return to APC is borne out of genuine intention and ultimate necessity to work closely with the Federal government and President Bola Tinubu to attract development to Kano. It is a bold decision to support President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda to strengthen our social, economic and infrastructure development.

“My decision to join APC was not driven out of personal or political exigencies. The choice was considered to build stability and not disaster, progressive ideals and not disunity. Kano cannot remain in isolation and stagnation. We must move ahead to enhance more development,” Yusuf added.

Earlier, APC chairman in Kano, Prince Abdullahi Abbas, welcomed Yusuf to the party and assured members of total loyalty to him as leader of the APC in the state.

He said Yusuf’s return would further strengthen unity and progress within the party, urging members to register in the ongoing e-registration exercise.

The event was attended by the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr Mariya Bunkure, the Minister of State for Housing, Abdullahi Ata, members of the National and State Assemblies, APC leaders, former political appointees and members of the Kwankwasiyya movement who defected to the APC with the governor.

Meanwhile, Kano Commissioner for Youth Development, Mustapha Musa Kwankwaso, yesterday resigned from the state executive council. Mustapha, the eldest son of Kwankwasiyya leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, said the decision was taken with a “heavy heart”.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for the opportunity to serve the great people of Kano State. I have cherished the experiences and lessons gained while serving, and I appreciate the trust placed in me.” He also urged sustained support for youths in Kano State, stressing the importance of continued investment in youth empowerment and sports development.

Mustapha becomes the second cabinet member to resign from Yusuf’s administration, following the exit of the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar-Mata.

Plateau prepares to receive Mutfwang into APC as Wase hails political realignment
Also, national attention has shifted to Jos, the Plateau State capital, ahead of today’s formal reception of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang into the All Progressives Congress, scheduled for the Jos Polo Field.

The event has generated excitement across the state and beyond, energising the political atmosphere and drawing widespread goodwill from residents.

Chairman of the Central Planning Committee for the reception, Ahmed Idris Wase, said Plateau State was witnessing a historic political realignment that signals a move towards unity, inclusive leadership and collective responsibility.

Wase, who briefed journalists yesterday, described the development as a defining moment in the state’s political evolution, reflecting what he called a growing consensus that governance must transcend partisan boundaries and focus on collaboration, stability and the delivery of democratic dividends.

“This realignment is steadily creating a suitable environment for accelerated infrastructural development, economic expansion, improved security architecture, and increased social investments, developments that directly touch the lives of ordinary citizens in both urban and rural communities across Plateau State.

“At the centre of this transformation stands the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, a leader widely acknowledged as visionary, principled, calm and people-oriented. On Monday, December 29, 2025, Governor Mutfwang formally resigned his membership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), citing the realities of the moment and his unwavering commitment to purposeful leadership, clarity of direction and effective service delivery.

“Barely days later, on Friday, January 2, 2026, His Excellency took another decisive step by aligning with the Progressive Governors under the platform of the All Progressives Congress. In doing so, he reaffirmed his conviction that ‘The Time Is Now’ for the Renewed Hope Agenda to take firm root and flourish in Plateau State,” Wase said.

He added that the governor’s decision was widely seen as the creation of a broad and unifying political platform that places the people above party interests, bridges long-standing political and identity divides, and positions Plateau State to attract large-scale development initiatives, including improved road networks, job creation, enhanced security and better living standards.

Atiku’s son officially joins APC, pledges to oppose father’s 2027 ambition
Relatedly, Abba Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, yesterday formally joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and pledged to work against his father’s 2027 presidential ambition.

Abba Atiku was received at the APC state secretariat in Yola, Adamawa State, amid a carnival-like atmosphere, with party supporters, youth groups and members turning out in large numbers.

Adamawa APC chairman, Shuaibu Idris, described the defection as a strong indication of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s growing national acceptance, even within opposition circles. He said the move underscored Tinubu’s increasing political influence and appeal across party lines.

“He has demonstrated a clear and unambiguous commitment to Tinubu’s leadership. This decision speaks volumes about the direction of the country and the confidence Nigerians have in his administration,” Idris said. He also commended Abba Atiku for what he called a “bold and patriotic” decision, urging party members to embrace him and ensure equal opportunities within the APC.

A youth leader of the party in Adamawa, Jamilu Yusuf Danumma, said the defection was a major boost ahead of 2027, adding that Abba Atiku joined with his national political structure.

Danumma disclosed that Abba Atiku completed his registration at the APC Gwadabawa Ward before proceeding to the state secretariat for the formal reception.

The party’s organising secretary in Adamawa, Mustapha Atiku Ribadu, described the development as historic, noting that it coincided with the alignment of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf with the APC on the same day.

“We are grateful to receive two Abbas today, one in Kano and one in Adamawa. Abba Atiku has shown clarity of judgment, wisdom, and political foresight,” Ribadu said.

After his registration, Abba Atiku thanked party members for the warm reception and reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC. He urged members to close ranks ahead of the next general election.

“We must work together and do everything possible to ensure the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027,” he said.

LP chair says defections to APC will not weaken opposition ahead of 2027
Meanwhile, the national chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Senator Nenadi Usman, has said she does not know why opposition politicians are defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting the trend does not signal the end of opposition influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Usman spoke during an interview on Politics on Sunday aired by TVC News, where she reacted to recent defections from opposition parties, including the LP, to the APC. She said the growing number of governors in the ruling party does not mean opposition parties would become irrelevant in the next general election.

Addressing the wave of defections, Usman said she could not identify any specific reason behind the movement.
“You asked me, you said what do I think is making them flock to the APC? Honestly, I don’t know what is making them flock to the APC,” she said.

“We hear a lot of news around. We hear stories of people who — they say, if you join the APC, your sins are forgiven, right? So, it could be that. I don’t know,” she added.

Asked whether the Labour Party has the capacity to field a candidate capable of challenging the APC in the 2027 presidential election, Usman declined to give a definite answer, saying it was too early to decide.

“When we get to that bridge, we’ll cross it. Because whether we are fielding a candidate, how we are going to field the candidate, is not something that I personally can sit now and take a decision,” she said.

She maintained that, despite the defections, opposition parties would continue to play a significant role in Nigeria’s democratic process in 2027.