Kwankwaso’s NNPP faction in Kano faces fresh uncertainty after key ally Ahmad Garba Bichi appeared with APC leaders, raising fears of further defections
The Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso-led faction of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has been thrown into uncertainty following the public appearance of Hon. Ahmad Garba Bichi alongside chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
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Bichi, considered one of the last pillars of the NNPP faction, was spotted at a welcoming event for Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Monday, February 16, 2026.
His alignment with APC leaders has fueled speculation over the stability and direction of Kwankwaso’s camp.
A source within the NNPP told reporters, “Hon. Bichi was seen by many of us as a pillar that would help hold the structure together. Now that he has embraced the governor, we don’t know what to expect next or tell our supporters.”
The move has triggered excitement among Governor Yusuf’s political associates in the APC, with recent defectors mocking the Kwankwaso camp for its diminishing influence.
This latest development follows Governor Yusuf’s defection from NNPP in January 2026, which saw 21 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, eight federal representatives, and all 44 local government chairmen join the APC.
The shift left the Kwankwaso faction significantly weakened, with only Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo and a few officials remaining loyal.
Senator Kwankwaso described the governor’s defection as a deep betrayal, marking January 23 as “World Betrayal Day.”
Meanwhile, APC has consolidated its hold in Kano by implementing a power-sharing formula between Governor Yusuf’s bloc and existing party leaders.
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Political observers note that the NNPP’s challenges highlight growing concerns over defections and internal party cohesion as the 2027 elections approach.
