Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

Members of the Kano State House of Assembly have unanimously endorsed the planned decision of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to defect from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing deepening legal and leadership crises within the NNPP.

KANO FOCUS reports that the lawmakers said remaining in the NNPP poses serious political and legal risks, warning that the party’s internal disputes and ongoing court cases could jeopardise the mandates of elected officials in the state.

The legislators recalled the political crisis in Zamfara State, where the ruling party lost power despite winning elections, as a key reason behind their support for Governor Yusuf’s proposed exit from the NNPP.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, the Majority Leader of the House, Lawan Hussaini, said the Assembly could not ignore what he described as the “dangerous legal situation” surrounding the party.

“There is an existing court judgement that recognises a particular faction of the NNPP,” Hussaini said. “We cannot continue to remain in the party and risk a repeat of the legal disaster that happened in Zamfara State.”

He explained that the NNPP is currently embroiled in rival leadership claims and multiple court cases, creating uncertainty over the party’s legal standing and the validity of its nominations ahead of future elections.

According to Hussaini, the Zamfara experience remains a painful reminder of how internal party disputes can nullify electoral victories. In the 2019 general elections, the APC won most elective offices in Zamfara State but failed to conduct valid primaries due to internal disagreements.

He noted that shortly before the inauguration of elected officials, the Supreme Court ruled that the APC had no valid candidates, declared the votes cast for the party wasted and ordered that candidates with the next highest votes who met constitutional requirements be declared winners.

The judgement handed the governorship to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Bello Matawalle, while the PDP also secured nearly all legislative seats in the state, despite losing at the polls.

Drawing lessons from that precedent, Hussaini warned that Kano could face a similar fate if the NNPP’s internal crisis remains unresolved. He said continued factional battles and litigation could invalidate the party’s candidates, even after successful elections.

The Majority Leader disclosed that this concern informed the Assembly’s decision to support calls urging Governor Yusuf and the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to consider leaving the NNPP for what lawmakers described as a more stable political platform, including the APC.

He added that consultations were already ongoing with Governor Yusuf and Senator Kwankwaso to agree on what he termed a “strategic and timely” defection that would safeguard the mandate given to them by the electorate.

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

The Kano State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), in collaboration with the Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE), has organised a six-day capacity-building programme aimed at strengthening the teaching and learning of English Language in public primary schools across the state.

KANO FOCUS reports that the training, which targets English Language teachers in selected Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs), is part of ongoing efforts to improve literacy outcomes at the basic education level in Kano State.

Speaking during a monitoring visit to one of the training centres in Takai Local Government Area, the PLANE State Team Leader, Malam Umar Lawan, said the programme is a continuation of the technical and capacity-building support PLANE has been providing to the Kano State Government over the last three to four years.

He explained that the initiative is designed to equip English Language teachers with modern, learner-centred teaching methodologies, while ensuring that pupils are exposed early to effective reading and speaking skills at the lower primary level, ahead of their transition to upper classes.

According to Malam Umar, the pilot phase of the programme is being implemented in four local government areas—Takai, Gabasawa, Minjibir and Karaye—covering 115 primary schools and involving 484 English Language teachers. He added that the six-day training would expose participants to innovative instructional strategies aimed at improving classroom delivery and learning outcomes.

In his remarks, the Deputy National Team Leader of PLANE, Mr Samuel Achimugu, expressed satisfaction with the dedication of the resource persons and the enthusiasm shown by participating teachers in engaging with the training content. He stressed that continuous professional development of English Language teachers remains critical to achieving quality education outcomes at the basic education level.

Mr Achimugu commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his commitment to revitalising the education sector in Kano State, and also praised the Chairman of SUBEB, Malam Yusuf Kabir, for his initiatives and leadership geared towards making basic education more progressive and effective.

Participants at the training described the programme as timely and impactful, expressing appreciation to PLANE and SUBEB for the support. They pledged to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to enhance the learning experience and literacy development of pupils in their respective schools.

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

The Kano State Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has intensified enforcement of the ban on commercial motorcycle operations (Achaba/Okada) and the restriction on tricycle movement between 10:00pm and 6:00am within the Kano metropolis.

KANO FOCUS reports that between January 1 and 7, 2026, the combined security team impounded 104 commercial motorcycles and 68 tricycles for violating the standing directives. A total of 172 suspects were arrested in connection with the offences and have since been charged to court for prosecution.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended residents of the state for their cooperation and understanding, while also praising the efforts of sister security agencies involved in the operation, particularly the Kano Road and Traffic Agency (KAROTA), for their support in enforcing the measures.

According to the police, the ban on commercial motorcycle passenger conveyance and the nighttime restriction on tricycles remain in force. The affected local government areas include Kano Municipal, Gwale, Dala, Fagge, Nassarawa, Tarauni, Kumbotso, Ungogo (Jido area), as well as Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area, covering Tamburawa, Gurjiya and Jido wards.

The command urged members of the public to continue to comply with the regulations in the interest of public safety and security. Residents were also encouraged to report violations or suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines on 08032419754, 08123821575, and 09029292926.

Reaffirming its commitment to maintaining law and order, the Kano State Police Command assured that it would continue to take necessary measures to enforce the ban and ensure the safety of lives and property across the state.