Kano Gov Yusuf May Defect to APC Over Benefits of Aligning With Centre – Aide

Sanusi Bature, spokesperson to Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, has explained the reasons the governor may consider defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Bature said Kano State has historically gained little from being in opposition at the federal level, noting that this reality could influence any future political decision by the governor.

He made the remarks on Tuesday while speaking on Channels Television’s LaunchTime Politics.

According to him, Kano has often been in opposition to the central government, a development he said has brought minimal benefits to the state over the years.

“If we go to the history of Kano and Nigerian politics, Kano has been in complete opposition or in an eternal opposition with the centre,” Bature said.

He cited periods under former Presidents Shehu Shagari, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, during which Kano was largely not aligned with the federal government.

“What has Kano benefited from being in opposition? What has Kano benefitted from being on a different pathway from the centre?” he asked, stressing that such questions must be answered before any decision is taken.

Bature, however, dismissed speculations that Governor Yusuf’s recent visit to President Bola Tinubu was politically motivated.

“At the moment, the rumours surrounding the visit to the president are not accurate. The visit was not mainly political but centred on development discussions and a briefing on the current realities in the state,” he added.