As preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, former Kano State Governor and leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is reportedly considering a political alliance with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

KANO FOCUS reports that the move is coming amid significant political shifts in Kano State, following the reported defection of Governor Abba Yusuf, alongside most members of the Kano State House of Assembly, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

THISDAY Newspaper gathered that while Kwankwaso’s political structure in Kano appears to be gravitating towards the APC, the former governor himself is engaged in discussions with the ADC over the possibility of joining the party, along with members of the Kwankwasiyya movement, his core political base.

Sources disclosed that discreet negotiations are already underway among Kwankwaso, Atiku and Obi as they explore the prospects of forming a broad opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections. The talks are said to be driven by a shared desire to present a formidable challenge to the ruling APC.

There are also strong indications that Governor Yusuf, the only NNPP governor in the country, is set to officially defect to the APC on Monday. His planned defection, sources said, has been strongly opposed by Kwankwaso and has triggered sharp disagreements within the Kwankwasiyya movement.

According to sources close to the governor, Vice President Kashim Shettima; APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje; the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Yitwalda Nentawe; and the APC Kano State Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, are expected to attend a brief ceremony marking Yusuf’s defection in Abuja.

Political analysts say that if the proposed alliance between Atiku, Obi and Kwankwaso materialises, it could significantly reshape the opposition landscape and alter Nigeria’s political calculations ahead of 2027.

Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso finished second, third and fourth respectively in the 2023 presidential election, making their potential alliance one of the most consequential political developments in the build-up to the next general polls.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has dissolved the party’s executive structures in Kano State, including those at the state, local government and ward levels, ahead of the anticipated defection of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

KANO FOCUS reports that the decision was announced in a statement issued on Friday by the NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Oladipo Johnson, who disclosed that the party’s leadership would soon constitute a caretaker committee to oversee its affairs in the state.

Johnson explained that the dissolution followed an emergency meeting of the NWC and was carried out in line with the provisions of the party’s constitution.

“The National Working Committee of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, after an emergency meeting, has, in accordance with the constitution of the party, announced the dissolution of its Executive Committees at the state, local government and ward levels in Kano State,” the statement read.

“In line with the provisions of the party’s constitution, the NWC resolved to appoint caretaker committees to act in the interim. Further instructions will be announced in due course.”

He added that the NWC expressed appreciation to all party officials affected by the decision for their contributions to the growth of the NNPP in Kano State.

“The NWC accordingly thanked all those who held positions at the state, local government and ward structures of the party in Kano State and assured them of the party’s appreciation for their invaluable contributions,” Johnson said.

The development comes amid an ongoing political crisis between the NNPP’s National Leader and former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and Governor Yusuf. The rift has heightened speculation over the governor’s reported plan to defect to the APC, a move said to be strongly opposed by Kwankwaso.

Meanwhile, the Kano State chapter of the APC has confirmed that Governor Yusuf is expected to formally join the party in the coming days, further intensifying political realignments in the state.

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

Communities across Northern Nigeria, from Yobe, Benue and Adamawa to Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi, Kano, Kaduna and Jigawa, experienced an unusual Harmattan season in 2025, marked by late arrival, reduced intensity and subdued dust levels.

KANO FOCUS reports that the Director of Climate Change at the Kano State Ministry of Environment and climate change, Umar Sale Anka, disclosed this development in a post on his official Facebook page on Thursday, noting that the familiar seasonal pattern is increasingly becoming unpredictable.

Traditionally, the Harmattan — a dry, dusty wind carried by northeasterly trade winds from the Sahara Desert — arrives between late November and mid-March, signalling the peak of the dry season. However, experts say this long-established rhythm is now being disrupted by changing climatic conditions.

According to Anka, the timing and strength of the Harmattan depend on the balance between moist monsoon air and dry Saharan air. Historically, this transition followed a stable cycle, but rising global temperatures and changing atmospheric circulation have weakened the pressure systems that drive the dry winds southward, making the Harmattan less predictable and less intense.

In 2025, prolonged rainfall extended into what is usually the early dry season in parts of the North, leaving residual moisture in the atmosphere. This reduced the dryness needed for the Harmattan to set in, delaying its onset. Environmental factors such as vegetation loss, land degradation and changes in land surface temperatures have further altered local atmospheric behaviour, reinforcing the shift in seasonal patterns.

The changing climate, experts warn, poses serious challenges for smallholder farmers who depend on predictable seasons for planting and harvesting. Erratic rainfall and delayed dry periods have disrupted farming calendars, increased crop losses and reduced yields, contributing to rising food insecurity. In states such as Sokoto and Yobe, reduced surface water availability has also made irrigation more difficult and costly, placing additional economic pressure on rural households and local food markets.

Despite the challenges, stakeholders say there are practical steps communities can take to adapt. Climate-smart agriculture — including the use of drought-tolerant and early-maturing crop varieties, crop diversification, soil conservation and integrated pest management — has been identified as a key strategy for stabilising food production amid erratic weather.

Investment in water harvesting and efficient irrigation systems is also critical. Techniques such as rainwater harvesting, community reservoirs and drip irrigation can help farmers maximise limited rainfall and reduce dependence on shrinking natural water sources. Improved access to accurate, localised weather forecasts and early warning systems can further empower farmers to make informed decisions.

At the policy level, experts stress the need to integrate climate adaptation into agricultural development plans. This includes expanding rural water infrastructure, promoting agricultural insurance schemes and ensuring that state and national policies reflect the realities faced by farmers in the North.

Civil society organisations are already playing an active role in this effort. Groups such as the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN), the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), the Centre for Environment and Rural Development (CERD), Green Legacy and Sustainable Action for Nature (SAN) are working with communities to promote climate-resilient practices and advocate supportive policies.

Observers say the delayed 2025 Harmattan season is more than a weather anomaly. It is a clear warning of a changing climate that requires sustained adaptation, collective action and long-term planning. With appropriate support, experts believe Northern Nigeria’s communities can continue to build resilience, safeguard livelihoods and secure a more sustainable future.