Ladipo Johnson, a chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has asserted that the party will win the Kano State governorship election in 2027, regardless of whether Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf stays with the NNPP or defects to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Johnson made the remark in response to rising speculation that Governor Yusuf might leave the NNPP following his recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu, which has fueled defection rumours.
Speaking on Tuesday’s edition of Channels Television’s breakfast program, The Morning Brief, Johnson emphasized that the NNPP has consistently demonstrated strong electoral support in Kano State, even without occupying political office.
“In 2019, without a sitting governor or members of the House of Assembly, etc, we believe we won Kano, but yes, INEC said it was inconclusive, and later on Ganduje won a re-election,” he said. “In 2023, same position. We went up against the APC, and well, His Excellency Abba Kabir Yusuf knows that he won the elections.” Johnson further stated that the party’s victory in the last election was achieved without incumbency at the grassroots level.
“NNPP won the elections, won most of the seats, and we did this without having anyone in situ, any officials in situ, no councillors, nothing.” Expressing confidence ahead of the 2027 polls, the NNPP chieftain said the party remained unfazed by defection talks surrounding the governor.
“We were able to win Kano, and by God’s special grace, in 2027, the same thing will happen whether or not he has left us or whether he’s with us. And that sounds slightly arrogant. I’m not being arrogant. I’m just saying it’s politics, and I believe that we will be able to win Kano,” he reiterated.
The speculation gained renewed attention after Governor Yusuf paid a visit to President Tinubu on Monday evening, prompting claims by political observers that he may be considering a defection to the APC. However, the governor’s spokesman, Sanusi Bature, dismissed the speculation, saying the meeting was not politically motivated.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Bature said, “Governor Yusuf informed President Tinubu about the recent tragic killing of a housewife and her children, stressing the need for decisive federal support to strengthen security operations and protect innocent citizens.”