By Abdulmalik Suleiman
Politics must be judged by one standard: what it delivers to the people.
By that measure, His Excellency, Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf’s decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress, APC, was not only accurate and timely. It was the most patriotic decision he could have made for Kano at this moment.
It was clear NNPP had no future. Kano couldn’t wait.
The truth must be told. The New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, was bedeviled by protracted internal crisis, factionalization, and the absence of a viable national structure. The party had no clear path to relevance at the federal level, and no capacity to attract major investments to Kano.
A governor cannot tie the destiny of 15 million people to a platform with no future. To have remained in NNPP would have condemned Kano to four more years on the sidelines, watching other states access federal projects while we engaged in opposition politics.
Governor Abba saw this early. He chose to put Kano first.
THE FRUITS ARE ALREADY HERE: ₦1.05 TRILLION KANO LIGHT RAIL
The dividends of that bold decision became evident on 30th July, 2026.
Governor Yusuf received a delegation from the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, MOFI, and Mota-Engil Nigeria at the Kano State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, ahead of the groundbreaking of the Kano Light Rail Project, a ₦1.05 trillion project approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This represents the single largest federal infrastructure investment in Kano in recent history.
The project will transform urban transportation, ease traffic congestion, improve connectivity, and stimulate economic activities across the state. As Governor Yusuf stated, it is a strategic investment that will further strengthen Kano’s position as the commercial hub of Northern Nigeria while providing residents with a modern, safe, and efficient mass transit system.
This did not happen by accident. It happened because Kano now has direct access to the center. Because the Governor can engage the Presidency and federal agencies as a stakeholder, not as an adversary.
WHY THE DEFECTION WAS JUSTIFIED
1. Pragmatism over Sentiment
Governance is about results. NNPP could not deliver federal backing. The APC has, and is already delivering.
2. The Reality of Federalism
In Nigeria, states that align with the federal government get priority attention. Those in perpetual opposition get excuses. Governor Abba chose development over drama.
3. Securing Kano’s Future
With NNPP in crisis, remaining would have further isolated Kano politically and economically at a time when the state needs maximum federal support for infrastructure, security, and commerce.
Critics will talk about party loyalty. But what is the value of loyalty if our people remain in traffic, our businesses suffer, and federal projects continue to bypass our state?
Governor Abba’s defection was timely, strategic, and courageous. It removed Kano from the limitations of NNPP and placed the state at the center of national development.
The ₦1.05 trillion Light Rail is only the first fruit. With this alignment, Kano can expect more projects, more jobs, and greater federal attention.
History will not remember the party he left. History will remember the rail lines, the jobs, and the prosperity he brought to Kano.
Governor Abba made the right call. And Kano is already smiling.
