Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has formally resigned his membership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), citing deepening internal crises and the need to protect the broader interests of the people of Kano State.

The governor announced his decision in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa. According to the statement, Yusuf has written a formal resignation letter addressed to the Chairman of Diso-Chiranchi Ward of the NNPP in Gwale Local Government Area.

The resignation takes effect from Friday, January 23, 2026.

Governor Yusuf expressed appreciation to the NNPP for providing him with a political platform and support during his engagement with the party.

However, he pointed to persistent internal disputes and unresolved legal challenges that have continued to destabilise the party’s structure at both state and national levels.

According to the governor, the prolonged disagreements have widened internal divisions and weakened cohesion within the NNPP, making it difficult for the party to function effectively.

He said his decision was guided by the need to prioritise stability, governance, and the collective interest of the people of Kano State.

Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that he is not dumping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) despite the recent wave of defections in his party.

Makinde said this after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday.

When asked if he’s also considering joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), like his former colleagues in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Makinde said he is comfortable with the PDP.

“I am comfortable in the PDP,” he stated.

Makinde maintained that addressing Nigerian problems requires bi-partisan approach with contributions from all political parties in the interest of the country.

“We may have issues in this country where you need a bipartisan approach, where there won’t be an issue of APC talking alone or PDP talking alone; where we will have to look at what is the best foot forward in the interest of our nation. So, when you get to that junction, you need everybody on board,” he said.

The Oyo governor arrived at the Aso Villa shortly after Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang, who recently defected from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Both governors were received separately and proceeded to the president’s office.

Makinde was a key member of the group of five PDP governors, popularly known as the G5, who opposed the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate ahead of the 2023 general election.

The G5 governors argued that the PDP had violated its informal zoning arrangement by presenting a northern candidate after the eight-year tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who is also from the North.

The group maintained that power should rotate to the South in the interest of fairness and national cohesion.

During the 2023 presidential election, Makinde and other members of the G5 openly worked against the PDP candidate and supported Tinubu, who eventually won. Other members of the G5 included former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike; former Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom; former Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and former Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu.

Bare 24 hours after denying reports of the abduction of worshippers from three churches in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, the police have reversed their position, admitting that the attack “did occur” and many people were kidnapped.

The police admitted the incident in a Tuesday night statement issued by their spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin. This followed a public condemnation of the police’s initial stance.

Recall that terrorists, loosely referred to as “bandits,” invaded the area on Sunday, 18 January, kidnapping over 160 worshippers.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) told this newspaper that 172 people were initially abducted but nine escaped and the remaining were marched into a nearby forest.

The statement signed by its spokesperson, Reuben Buhari, listed the affected churches to include the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Albarka Cherubim and Seraphim 1 and Haske Cherubim and Seraphim 2.

Both the Kaduna State government and the police disagreed with CAN, challenging it to present evidence that there was an abduction.

Addressing reporters on Monday after a security meeting with state authorities, the police commissioner in Kaduna, Muhammad Rabiu, described the incident as a “falsehood which is being peddled by conflict entrepreneurs who want to cause chaos in Kaduna State.”

Also the chairperson of Kajuru Local Government, Dauda Madaki, denied the attack, citing local authorities in the area.

But in the Tuesday night statement, the police said their new position on the incident followed subsequent verification from operational units and intelligence sources.

The Police said efforts were underway to “safely” rescue the victims and restore normalcy to the area.

The Police said the incident generated widespread fear and anxiety, leading the Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, to convene a meeting of the State Security Council at the Government House in Kaduna.

During the meeting, some individuals from the affected local government reportedly disputed earlier reports of the abduction, describing them as false, a development the police said created uncertainty and necessitated further verification.

According to the statement, the abduction had earlier been confirmed by the police, but the conflicting accounts led security agencies to exercise caution before making “conclusive” public statements.

The police explained that comments made by the Commissioner of Police in Kaduna were aimed at preventing “unnecessary panic” while investigations were ongoing.

The remarks, the police added, were not a denial but a response pending confirmation of details, such as the identities and number of those affected.

According to the statement, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the deployment of additional operational and intelligence assets to the area.

The Police said the response includes the deployment of tactical units, intensified patrols, and targeted search-and-rescue operations.

The Police appealed to the public and the media to rely on official communications for verified information, warning that sensational reporting could “jeopardise ongoing operations or heighten public anxiety.”

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