A long-time political ally of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Kabiru Adamu Abdullahi, has left the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.
Abdullahi, a prominent figure within the Kwankwasiyya political movement in Dala Local Government Area of Kano State, announced his decision after nearly three decades of association with Kwankwaso.
Abdullahi reportedly communicated his resignation from the NDC through a letter addressed to the chairman of the party in Kofar Ruwa Ward, Dala Local Government Area.
He said his decision was influenced by his experience within the political movement and what he described as years of unfulfilled promises.
“I have been with Kwankwaso for 29 years but have only benefited from failed promises. I will go to where I will be respected more,” Abdullahi said.
The politician said his long association with Kwankwaso did not translate into the political recognition and opportunities he had expected.
He subsequently declared his support for Tinubu and the APC as the country moves towards another presidential election.
Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor and former presidential candidate, has remained one of the most influential political figures in northern Nigeria.
His political structure, known as the Kwankwasiyya movement, has continued to play a major role in Kano politics and in northern Nigeria.
Moreover, Abdullahi had previously resigned from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after the Kwankwasiyya movement moved towards the NDC.
His resignation at the time was linked to the directive of Kwankwaso, whom supporters commonly refer to as “Jagora.”
That earlier move came during a period of uncertainty surrounding the ADC and the political future of Kwankwaso and his supporters.
Kwankwaso and his political allies had initially joined the ADC as part of efforts to build a stronger opposition platform ahead of the 2027 election.
The arrangement later changed, with the Kwankwasiyya camp moving towards the NDC.
Abdullahi was among the grassroots politicians who followed the movement during that period.
However, Kwankwaso had earlier shown some openness to working with the APC but insisted that any decision would depend on clear assurances concerning his political structure, supporters and the future of the Kano State Government.
Politics Nigeria recall on January, Kwankwaso said he had not completely ruled out joining the ruling party.
He, however, made it clear that he would not make such a move without knowing what would happen to his political supporters and allies.
“I didn’t say I won’t join APC, but we must first be clearly assured of the future of the Kano state government before we join the APC,” he said.
He also raised concerns about the future of lawmakers and other members of his political structure.
“What will be the fate of our lawmakers and other supporters before we agree to defect?” Kwankwaso asked.
His comments followed the defection of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the APC in January 2026.
The governor’s decision created a political disagreement with Kwankwaso, who had played a key role in Yusuf’s emergence as governor in 2023.
Kwankwaso subsequently rejected reports that he had authorised or endorsed Yusuf’s move to the APC.
On January this year, his media aide, Saifullahi Hassan, described claims that Kwankwaso had approved the governor’s defection as false and misleading.
“We wish to state unequivocally that this report is false, misleading, and entirely without factual basis,” Hassan said.
Kwankwaso later stated that any decision to return to the APC would require concrete arrangements covering his role and the interests of his supporters.
“I will not go to the APC blindly,” he said. “I must be clearly informed of my role, the direction of the journey, and the fate of our plans for the common people, including the position of our supporters and the Kano State Government.
Despite the tension surrounding the issue, Tinubu has maintained a cordial public relationship with Kwankwaso.
On October 2025, Tinubu described Kwankwaso as a friend and political ally in a birthday message to the former Kano governor.
“Senator Kwankwaso remains a friend and ally with whom I served in the National Assembly in 1992 and later as governors in 1999,” Tinubu said.
“We also worked together in founding the All Progressives Congress. Although he later left the APC to establish the New Nigeria People’s Party, it is noteworthy that he remains within the progressive fold,” the President added.
The political situation has changed considerably since then.
Kwankwaso later moved from the ADC into the NDC camp, while several politicians previously associated with his political structure have continued to make individual political decisions.
In July 2026, Senator Rufai Hanga and former Kano governor Kabiru Gaya were among prominent figures received into the APC by Tinubu.
Hanga had been associated with Kwankwaso and represented Kano Central in the Senate, while Gaya had also been linked to the Kwankwasiyya political structure.