A political storm is brewing as the Coalition of Northern Youth Forum (CNYF), under the leadership of Alhasan Barau Gausu, has raised alarm over what it describes as desperate and undemocratic moves by the Presidency to force Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), into joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to the group, the Tinubu-led administration is leveraging state institutions, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to intimidate and coerce Kwankwaso into defecting to the ruling APC.

Central to the allegations is a revived petition detailing a 2016 contract worth N15.5 billion, awarded through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to a company reportedly linked to one of Kwankwaso’s closest allies—a known financier of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.

The EFCC reportedly invited the contractor for interrogation last week Tuesday.

The CNYF claims that the contractor is being pressured to implicate Kwankwaso in the alleged financial misconduct, suggesting the anti-graft agency is being used as a political weapon to break the opposition.

“This is nothing short of blackmail,” said Gausu. “They want to silence Kwankwaso’s rising political influence and force him into a weak alliance with the ruling party, using fear and intimidation.”

The group further disclosed that a high-powered delegation from the Presidency, led by a former Katsina State governor—now serving as TETFUND board chairman—recently visited Kwankwaso at his Abuja residence, appealing to him to join the APC.

However, sources say Kwankwaso responded with firm conditions for any possible defection.

These include:

• A reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)

• Massive reinvestment in Nigeria’s education sector

• Reintroduction of the Almajiri Model Education System (originally implemented during President Jonathan’s administration)

• His appointment as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF)

Allocation of three ministerial slots to his political associates from northwest, northeast and south-south.

Without these demands being met, Kwankwaso reportedly stated he would remain with the NNPP—or align with the emerging SDP coalition, being championed by Atiku Abubakar and Nasir El-Rufai.

The fallout from this meeting, according to the CNYF, may have prompted APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje’s recent public declaration that Kwankwaso would soon rejoin the APC.

Speaking during a visit by the Tinubu Support Group (TSG) to the APC national secretariat, Ganduje boldly claimed, “NNPP is dead,” insinuating that its leader was on the verge of returning to the ruling party.

Analysts believe the APC’s desperation stems from Kwankwaso’s undeniable grassroots influence in the Northwest—especially Kano State, which boasts over two million registered voters.

With growing public discontent over the removal of fuel subsidy and other economic policies, the Tinubu administration appears to be seeking strong political alliances ahead of 2027.

But for now, Kwankwaso remains unbowed, standing firm on his conditions and signaling that the NNPP—and its ideals—are not for sale.

Recently, the national and Kano state chapter of the APC were directed by the powrful forces from the villa to galvanize support and provide receptive atmosphere to recieve Kwankwaso and his teaming supporters back to APC.

Aminu Abdullahi

The adolescent girls initiative for learning and empowerment AGILE has been described as a major catalyst to educational development.

KANO FOCUS reports that the Emir of Rano, Alhaji Muhammad Isa Umaru, made the indication while receiving AGILE team in his palace.

According to him, Kano has witnessed significant progress in girl child education facilitated by AGILE, hence the need for traditional institutions and relevant stakeholders to contribute their quota to achieve the desired objectives.

He noted that, Rano Emirate has been at the forefront of ensuring enrollment retention and completion of girls education through various initiatives.

The emir called on the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) to upgrade the girls school in his community.

The monarch said, the school, located beside the palace, requires expansion to accommodate a larger number of students.

The traditional ruler suggested that AGILE should visit the school to assess its condition, saying that, relocating the school to a bigger location had been earlier considered.

In his remarks the permanent secretary Kano state ministry of education Alhaji Bashir Baffa explained that, they were at the palace to seek for support and blessings form the royal father.

He said, AGILE has fostered an enabling environment for girls through promoting behavioral changes through communication campaigns engagement with traditional rulers and advocacy.

He maintained that, the team has embarked on advocacy visits to all relevant stakeholders at community and state levels on the importance of girls education.

Alhaji Baffa hinted that the state government had declared a state of emergency on education, hence the need for the traditional institution to contribute its quota to achieve the desired objectives.

He posited that, the team will visit the school to see possible ways of intervening for the development of education.

The permanent secretary also used the opportunity to condole Rano emirate over the killing of its indigenes in Uromi.

KANO FOCUS reports that, earlier the team has paid a similar visit to Karaye Emirate council as part of efforts to advocate for support from the traditional institution and relevant stakeholders.

Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim 

The Kano State Ministry of Education’s Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, supported by the World Bank, has successfully renovated over 1,300 senior and junior secondary schools in the state in the last three years.  

KANO FOCUS reports that the state commissioner for education, Alhaji Ali Haruna Makoda, disclosed this during a visit to the Karaye Emirate on Tuesday.

He added that the AGILE program has enrolled more than 30,000 girls through targeted outreach, grants, and its Second Chance education initiative.

Makoda further revealed that the state government has finalized plan to construct 130 new schools in rural communities, with over 35,000 girls already benefiting from financial assistance under the scheme.

He urged the Karaye Emirate to lend full support to the program and prioritize girls’ education.

In his remarks, the Emir of Karaye, Alhaji Muhammad Maharaz, pledged the emirate’s commitment to advancing girls’ education in Kano State.

He commended the state government and the commissioner for their dedication to the programme’s success.

“It is our collective responsibility to support this initiative,” the Emir stated, calling for measures to ensure beneficiaries complete their education with strong academic outcomes.

The commissioner’s delegation consist of the Kano State AGILE Project Coordinator, Malam Mujitapha Aminu and other members of State Programme Implementation Unit (SPIU).