Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has resigned from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), blaming worsening internal disagreements and unresolved leadership disputes within the party.
The decision was announced in a statement issued on Friday, 23 January 2026, by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
According to the statement, Yusuf submitted a resignation letter to the NNPP chairman in Diso-Chiranchi Ward, located in Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State in northern Nigeria. The resignation is to take effect from Sunday, 25 January 2026.
In the letter, the governor thanked the party for giving him a political platform and for supporting him since he joined its journey in 2022. He said he appreciated the backing and cooperation he received from party leaders and members across Kano State.
However, Yusuf said he was leaving because the party has been troubled by internal disputes and prolonged court cases that have continued to destabilise its structure at both state and national levels. He noted that several of the issues remain before the courts for decisions.
The governor added that the ongoing crisis has left many members feeling excluded, created deep divisions within the party, and weakened unity, leading to uncertainty within the NNPP across different levels.
Yusuf said he reached his decision after reflection and explained that, in his view, stepping away from the party was in the best interest of the people of Kano State. He also stressed that he made the move peacefully and without bitterness, while restating his commitment to unity, peace, and the development of the state.
The statement also disclosed that Yusuf’s resignation was accompanied by the exit of key political figures in Kano State, including 21 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, eight members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, and 44 local government chairmen across the state.
The NNPP Secretary of Diso-Chiranchi Ward, Kabiru Zubairu, confirmed receiving Yusuf’s resignation letter and praised the governor’s performance in office. He also agreed that the party has faced a lingering crisis, adding that the ward leadership accepted the governor’s decision. Zubairu credited Yusuf with achievements in areas such as infrastructure, urban renewal, health, education, and economic empowerment.