A former Kano State governor and national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has officially announced his resignation from the party.

His resignation came weeks after his political protégé, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, a move Mr Kwankwaso opposed and described as betrayal.

“I wish to formally announce my resignation from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) with immediate effect,” Mr Kwankwaso said in a statement on Sunday. 

He expressed his gratitude for the honour of leading the NNPP, describing his resignation from the party as a difficult decision.

“I seize this opportunity to express my profound gratitude for the honour and privilege of serving as the Party’s National Leader and its Presidential Candidate in the 2023 General Elections. As a committed and bona fide member of the party, this was not an easy decision to make,” said Mr Kwankwaso. 

Mr Kwankwaso, who had earlier announced his plans to join the ADC on Monday officially, said the coalition party offers the best opportunity to transform the country effectively.

“However, considering the current trajectory of the nation’s political landscape, which calls for strategic realignment, I have found it necessary to identify with another political platform that offers the best opportunity to effectively change the nation,” he added. 

Mr Kwankwaso expressed his readiness to collaborate to advance Nigeria. He thanked the NNPP leadership and the Kwankwasiyya Movement for their dedication and commitment to our shared mission throughout his time in the party. 

Mr Kwankwaso, in a notice shared by his media aide, Saifullahi Hassan, on Saturday, invited supporters to witness his registration with the ADC on Monday. 

“The general public is hereby invited to witness the official registration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by the Leader, Sen. Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso,” the notice read.

The politician’s decision followed his series of engagements with ADC stakeholders and other opposition figures in recent weeks. The politician had met with party leaders in Kano last week.

Mr Kwankwaso said on January 3, 2026, that he would consider switching allegiance to another political party if offered either the presidential or vice-presidential ticket for the 2027 general election.

“I have made it categorically clear that I will only join a coalition that considers me as either the presidential or vice-presidential candidate,” Mr Kwankwaso said while addressing his supporters from the NNPP, who paid a visit to his residence in Kano.