By Observers Times Investigative Unit
Emerging details from the high-stakes political theater that preceded the recent Supreme Court judgments have revealed a startling subterranean plot. Investigative leads obtained exclusively by OBSERVERS TIMES suggest that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State and his Plateau State counterpart, Governor Caleb Mutfwang, reportedly entered into high-level negotiations to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as a safety net to secure their mandates.
The revelations, provided by deep-cover sources within the corridors of power in Abuja and the respective states, indicate that these negotiations were not “lone wolf” operations. Rather, they were allegedly sanctioned and monitored by their respective political godfathers and mentors: Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano, and former Governor Jonah David Jang for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau.
The ‘Survival’ Architecture
Following the controversial rulings at the Court of Appeal, which had sacked both governors, the atmosphere in Kano and Plateau was one of palpable anxiety. Sources claim that the prospect of losing two of the most strategically important states in the North to the APC via the courts forced a pragmatic, albeit controversial, rethink of strategy.
“The negotiations were born out of a ‘survival first’ mentality,” a source familiar with the Kano talks told OBSERVERS TIMES “There was a clear understanding that the legal hurdles were steep. The APC leadership was approached with a proposition: if the Supreme Court affirmed their mandates, a cross-carpeting ceremony would be organized to bring both Kano and Plateau into the APC fold.”
The Kano Connection: Kwankwaso’s Chess Move
In Kano, where the rivalry between the NNPP and the APC has been most fierce, the report suggests that Senator Kwankwaso—facing the potential total eclipse of his political movement—opened a communication channel with the Presidency.
The deal, according to insiders, involved Abba Yusuf transitioning into the APC to ensure “political stability” in the most populous state in the North. “Kwankwaso is a master strategist. He knew that losing the Supreme Court case would mean the end of the Kwankwasiyya influence. Joining the APC was discussed as the ultimate insurance policy,” the source added.
Kwankwaso Complaint
All Progressives Congress (APC) efforts to forge a political deal with Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, until recently regarded as Kano’s “beautiful bride” and a potential election-shaping force, eventually collapsed.
Courted for the perceived electoral value of his red-cap movement, Kwankwasiyya, the former Kano governor appears to be watching his political allure wane, leaving the leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) increasingly isolated and struggling to translate past dominance into present influence.
Sources familiar with the talks told *THISDAY* that engagements between Kwankwaso and President Bola Tinubu stretched across several months, with multiple meetings held, especially in Abuja.
At the outset, the Presidency was said to have viewed Kwankwaso as a strategic bridge into Kano and parts of the Northwest, particularly given NNPP’s performance in the 2023 general election.
However, OBSERVERS TIMES can also makes references to how top sources within the ruling APC told THISDAY Thursday night that negotiations broke down over what they described as excessive and unrealistic demands.
According to sources, Kwankwaso sought control of up to 20 per cent of APC’s national structure, alongside a vice-presidential slot and guarantees extending to the 2031 political cycle.
Senior APC figures said the requests immediately raised red flags as manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 polls gathered pace, which contradicted the initial agreement reached before the Supreme Court victory that handed over Kano to Abba Yusuf.
The Plateau Strategy: Jang’s Defensive
In Plateau State, a similar drama unfolded. Governor Caleb Mutfwang, despite his strong roots in the PDP, was reportedly pushed by the reality of a hostile legal judgment. Sources indicate that Elder Statesman Jonah Jang, a fierce critic of the APC, was briefed on the necessity of “aligning with the center” to protect the state from the political vacuum that would follow a sack.
“Jang’s involvement was purely protective. He loves the PDP, but he loves the stability of Plateau more. The negotiations with the APC were seen as a ‘forced marriage’ to prevent the state from being handed over to those they considered political outsiders,” a senior PDP chieftain in Jos whispered to our correspondent.
The Supreme Court ‘Wildcard’
The Supreme Court eventually delivered judgments in favor of both Yusuf and Mutfwang, citing legal technicalities and the sanctity of the electoral process.
However, the question now haunting the political landscape is whether the “gentleman’s agreement” to defect will still be honored. While both governors have publicly celebrated their victories as wins for their respective parties (NNPP and PDP), the APC leadership at the national level is reportedly “waiting and watching” to see if the governors will fulfill their end of the bargain.
Denials and Silence
Publicly, spokespersons for both governors have consistently maintained that their victories were products of the rule of law and the will of the people, dismissing rumors of “political settlements.”
Yet, the silence from the camps of Kwankwaso and Jang regarding these specific negotiation allegations remains deafening.
As the dust settles on the legal battles, the political battles are just beginning. Whether Governor Yusuf and Governor Mutfwang will eventually make the move to the APC remains a matter of “when” rather than “if,” according to those privy to the pre-judgment meetings.
OBSERVERS TIMES will continue to monitor the shifting loyalties in Kano and Plateau as the 2027 permutations begin to take shape.
