The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has faulted the resignation and defection of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, describing the move as a betrayal of the mandate freely given to him by the people of the state.

In a statement issued on Friday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ladipo Johnson, said Governor Yusuf rode to power on the strength of his long-standing affiliation with the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the trust reposed in him by Kano voters.

Johnson dismissed Yusuf’s claim that his exit was prompted by an irredeemable crisis within the party, insisting that such an assertion was unfounded and merely an afterthought.

“It is with deep anguish and disappointment that the NNPP received news of the resignation and defection of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf,” the statement read.

“The governor was entrusted with the mandate of the people of Kano State based on decades of loyalty to the Kwankwasiyya Movement. His decision to abandon the party amounts to a betrayal of that sacred trust.”

The party warned that Yusuf’s action could expose the state to political forces that, according to it, had previously opposed the progress and aspirations of the people.

Drawing historical parallels, Johnson recalled the political events of the early 1980s when former Kano State Governor, Abubakar Rimi, defected from the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) to the Nigerian People’s Party (NPP).

He noted that despite Rimi’s defection alongside a majority of elected officials, Kano voters rejected the move at the polls in 1983, leading to his defeat by the PRP candidate, Alhaji Aliyu Zuwo.

Johnson added that only one out of the 120 state legislators who defected with Rimi was re-elected, stressing that history often punishes political disloyalty.

While acknowledging the pain caused by Yusuf’s departure, the NNPP urged its supporters and residents of Kano State to remain calm and law-abiding, warning against actions capable of provoking division or unrest.

The party expressed confidence that Kano voters would continue to uphold what it described as principled and people-oriented leadership.