NNPP flags removed from Kano government House

Kano remained calm on Monday, December 12, though with a visible increase in security presence, following Governor Abba Kabir Yusufs defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Neither the governor, his aides nor the state government issued any official statement confirming the development, and a formal ceremony expected to herald his move did not take place as earlier scheduled. Governor Yusuf was absent from the Government House when political aides were observed removing NNPP flags at the main entrance and replacing them with the Nigerian Green-White-Green national flag. The NNPP flag at the Deputy Governors Office was also taken down. Some aides were seen walking around the Government House wearing caps associated with President Bola Ahmed Tinubus distinctive freedom cap, which first appeared during a function at the premises on Sunday attended by Yusuf and members of the state executive council. Several junior staff were also seen discussing quietly in groups without their usual Kwankwasiyya caps, a symbolic part of their attire under the NNPP administration. Security presence was noticeably heavy around strategic locations in Kano, particularly near the Government House, where armed operatives and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) were deployed. A member of the state executive council told The Nation that the governor opted to skip the ceremony to avoid possible unrest. We are no longer in NNPP. The most important thing about the defection to APC has been done, and others are still ongoing, he said. It was gathered that the governor is expected to travel abroad with loyal political stakeholders to formally brief President Tinubu on the development. According to another government official, Yusufs defection reportedly included all 44 local government chairmen in the state as well as all NNPP members of the State House of Assembly. Yusuf, who won the 2023 governorship election under the NNPP, has had a prolonged rift with former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the political leader of the party. Sources described unresolved leadership disputes and multiple court cases within the NNPP as factors behind the governors decision to switch parties. Kwankwaso has strongly opposed the defection and maintains that Yusuf should relinquish his office if he chooses to leave the NNPP.The post NNPP flags removed from Kano government House appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.