Kano State governor, Abba Yusuf, has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Yusuf announced his defection on Monday at an event held at the coronation hall of the Kano state government house, noting that the decision was taken “in the best interest of the people of Kano state”.

The governor resigned from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) on Friday, citing “deepening internal crises” and “prolonged leadership disputes” as reasons for his exit.

Yusuf said his priority remains delivering good governance and the dividends of democracy to Kano residents.

Abdullahi Ganduje, former national chairman of the APC and Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; and Kawu Sumaila, alongside members of the Kano state executive council, party stakeholders, and other government officials, were in attendance.

The move comes hours after 21 members of the Kano state house of assembly defected from the NNPP to the APC.

In reaction to Yusuf’s defection, Rabiu Kwankwaso, national leader of the NNPP, declared January 23 as “World Betrayal Day”.

Civil society organisations, media professionals and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have called on the National Assembly to take over the legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly, citing an escalating constitutional crisis in the State.

The groups said the demand is pursuant to Section 11 (4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The press statement was jointly signed by civil society leaders, including Ifeanyi Okorie (Convener), Dr. Maryann Douglas (Director of Programmes) and Collins Akpofure (Chairman) for media professionals. Also, those who signed on behalf of the APC Leaders Forum are Engr. Ibrahim Danjuma (National Leader) and Akpan Ekpeyong (National Secretary).

According to the statement they spoke during a one-week non-stop rally at the APC Secretariat, where they declared that the Rivers State House of Assembly had lost credibility, legitimacy, and public trust due to persistent abuse of legislative powers and a reckless attempt to impeach Governor  Siminalayi Fubara.

They warned that Rivers State was sliding into a dangerous constitutional crisis, stressing that the ongoing impeachment process was no longer about legislative oversight but a deliberate effort to destabilise democratic governance.

Democracy in the State, they stressed, is under serious threat and silence at this point would amount to complicity.

The groups commended the Rivers State Chief Judge for refusing to constitute a probe panel and for respecting existing court orders, describing the decision as a clear affirmation of the rule of law and a rejection of illegality.

They insisted that no evidence of gross misconduct, as required by the Constitution, had been presented against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, adding that the allegations were unsubstantiated and politically motivated.

They further accused the Rivers State House of Assembly of procedural lawlessness, vendetta politics, and disregard for judicial authority, arguing that such conduct rendered the Assembly incapable of performing its constitutional duties.

Consequently, they urged the National Assembly to invoke Section 11(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and assume the legislative functions of the state assembly to restore order and democratic stability.

The coalition vowed to sustain the protests until decisive constitutional action was taken, including the takeover of legislative functions by the National Assembly. They called on Nigerians of goodwill to peacefully mobilise, maintain civic presence around the National Assembly, and resist what they described as legislative anarchy.

They maintained that Governor Fubara has shown prudence and commitment to the welfare of Rivers people, warning that Rivers State must not be sacrificed on the altar of political desperation.

The groups concluded with a call for unity in defence of democracy, declaring their resolve to continue the struggle until constitutional order is fully restored in the State.

The Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, has warned that Section One of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway may be closed to traffic if indiscipline by motorists continues to endanger lives and disrupt construction work.

Umahi spoke in Lagos while parading suspected vandals of cat’s-eye reflective lights on the Third Mainland Bridge.

The minister said the temporary opening was meant to provide relief for road users while construction work continued on the project.

However, he said the situation deteriorated due to traffic indiscipline, including driving against traffic and excessive speeding.

“You will recall what happened during the Christmas period when motorists drove against traffic. We recorded one death and experienced serious traffic congestion due to indiscipline,” Umahi said.

He said that what was intended to reduce congestion became a nightmare, stressing that both the leadership and the citizens shared responsibility for national development.

Umahi disclosed that the ministry considered closing the road in December but President Bola Tinubu directed that it should remain open.

The minister said the situation worsened recently when a contractor’s worker was killed by a speeding vehicle while working on the shoulder of the road, which was off the main carriageway.

According to him, a vehicle travelling at high speed knocked down two concrete solar poles, veered off the road, and killed the worker instantly.

Umahi said he is meeting with the contractor to address safety concerns, noting that construction work could be suspended if the lives of workers would not be adequately protected.

He said the Federal Ministry of Works would work with the Lagos State Government, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, and security agencies to deploy personnel to control traffic and secure the construction area.

The minister warned that if wrong-way driving and excessive speeding would persist after one week, the Federal government would have no option but to close Section One of the highway until completion of construction.

“The choice is for all of us to make,” he said.

On marked buildings, Umahi clarified reports that buildings were marked for demolition on the completed corridor of the coastal road.

He apologised to affected residents, saying that the markings were done in error and not by the federal ministry of works.

According to him, land acquisition for public interest is the responsibility of the Office of the Surveyor-General.

He gave the assurance that the error had been corrected.

Umahi said only empty Federal government lands, including areas within 250 metres of the shoreline and approved road corridors, are being processed for acquisition through the Lagos State Government.

He added that the Surveyor-General of the Federation had directed that any wrongful markings on completed buildings should be removed immediately, assuring residents that there is no instruction to demolish their houses.

NAN