Peter OgbemudiaIf you have been keeping tabs on Nigerian politics lately or if you just happen to scroll through X (formerly Twitter) or TikTok you already know that Kano State is currently the undisputed headquarters of political drama in 2026.
The man at the heart of this giant tremor is Abba Kabir Yusuf, better known to the people of Kano as Abba Gida-Gida, or “father, give me food.
Abba was considered for years to be the model of a loyalist. He was the golden boy, the protégé and the son-in-law of the Kwankwasiyya great master, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. As they say 24 hours is a long time in politics. Now, fast forward to early 2026 and Abba Kabir Yusuf has pulled off a move that has made his political godfather say, “I still feel like it was all a dream.” He showed an act of great magnanimity and abandoned the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) with its former bitter rival, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje!
How did we get here? How did the man who
Early Life and Age
You can’t understand Abba Kabir Yusuf unless you look at how everything started. The man is not only a normal politician, he’s a man with a very old royal blood.
Born on January 5, 1963, Abba is currently 63 years old as of 2026. He hails from the Sullubawa Fulani clan, which is the ruling class in the Kano Emirate, in the Gaya Local Government Area of Kano State.
He was brought up by tradition and discipline. Even before entering any western classroom, young Abba was sent to receive Islamic education, under the strict watch of his late grandfather Alhaji Yusuf Bashari, the Danmakwayon of Kano and District, Gaya. This traditional education enabled him to have a strong sense of grassroots in Kano. When he talks to the masses today, it is that early cultural upbringing that he is revealing.
Education
When you see him in his calm and systematic approach, it’s easy to understand why it makes sense when you realize he is a trained civil engineer.
He had his Formal Education in Sumaila Primary school and later attended Government secondary school in Dawakin Tofa. After his secondary school education, he packed his bag and moved to the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi in the Adamawa State where he got a National Diploma (ND) in Civil Engineering in 1985. He did not stop there but went ahead to join the famed Kaduna Polytechnic where he obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Civil Engineering in 1989. But if Abba was to be the most successful leader he could be, he would have to learn about money and management.
He later proceeded to Bayero University Kano (BUK) where he obtained his Master of Business Administration (MBA). This combination of business and engineering knowledge was to be the foundation of his entire career.
Career
Before the red caps of the Kwankwasiyya movement and the huge political gatherings, Abba was a committed civil servant.
He established a good career in Kano State Water Resources Engineering and Construction Agency (WRECA). Back in the day, if there was a big water project or civil project going on in Kano, Abba most likely had a stake in it.
He got his big break in political life when Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso was elected as Governor of Kano State. After Kwankwaso realized the profound loyalty of Abba and his technical skills, he placed him in the closest circle and appointed him to the position of Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport (2011–2015). In this period, Abba did the massive infrastructural renovation of Kano the flyovers, the widening of streets and street-lights. He was not only a politician, but the driving force behind Kwankwaso’s infrastructural legacy.
The Rise to the Governorship (2019-2024)
Abba’s journey to the Kano Government House, commonly known as the Gidan Dambe, is a movie script waiting to be written.
The 2019 Heartbreak: He first ran for governor under the PDP. He was thought to be winning, but the election was called a dead heat. He was involved in a very controversial supplementary election which he lost to incumbent Umar Ganduje.
In 2023, it wasn’t a matter of if, but when, Lightning would come back again. In 2023, after riding on the big wave of the populist NNPP (Kwankwaso’s new party), Abba was able to win the polls and then become the Governor.
Abba was subjected to a severe legal assault when he first came into power in 2024. He was removed by the Election Tribunal. He was dismissed by the Appeal Court. Kano was literally on fire. But in January 2024, the Supreme Court finally ruled and reversed the courts, reinstating his mandate.
He was the hero of the NNPP. The ultimate survivor. However, not one person could see what was to come next.
The 2026 Political Earthquake
For anyone who has been wondering why Abba Kabir Yusuf has become the No1 political trending topic in Nigeria; here is the tea.
Early 2026, just before the 2027 General Elections, Abba Gida-Gida did the unthinkable. He decamped officially from the NNPP to the APC. Yes, the same APC he spent years fighting against. Even more shocking? He was seen to be on the side of his former rival, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
This action caused a “shock” to the nation. Rabiu Kwankwaso had suffered not only a political setback, but a personal setback as well. It was a heartbreaking BBC Hausa interview in February 2026, where Kwankwaso admitted, “Frankly, it was a big shock… Sometimes I lie down and think it was all a dream and that is what Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and those that followed him will have to regret in the end.”
Political analysts believe the APC heavily wooed Abba to secure Kano State (with its massive voting numbers) for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid. Whatever the true reason, Abba has effectively dismantled the NNPP in Kano and rewritten the political map of Northern Nigeria.
Other Political Figures
Family Life
Abba Kabir Yusuf is not only Kwankwaso’s political godson, he is his son-in-law.
He is happily married to Hajiya Maryam Abba Kabir Yusuf who is a direct relative (niece/daughter figure) in the Kwankwaso lineage. First Lady of Kano State, Hajiya Maryam is very active. Even during the political storm, she was busy in February 2026 making history for her contribution to NYSC corps members with millions of Naira and promoting the welfare of women in the state.
Abba Kabir Yusuf’s Net Worth
So, what is the wealth of the Governor of Kano State?
Unlike politicians who like to flaunt a bunch of Rolls Royces, Abba practises “stealth wealth.” He wears simple attire and has a people’s face. However, when you factor in his decades as a top civil engineer, massive government contracting experience during his WRECA days, his time as Commissioner of Works, and now his position as Governor of one of Nigeria’s wealthiest states, he is incredibly comfortable.
Financial analysts and political observers believe his net worth is anywhere between $2M or $5M (in Naira billions). He is primarily invested in real estate, agriculture and private engineering consultancy firms that he already owned prior to his time as governor.
Conclusion
As the 2027 elections loom, Abba Kabir Yusuf is playing a tightrope. He has left the NNPP and Kwankwaso in order to get the formidable backing of the Federal Government, but he has also risked losing the “red cap” supporters who literally bled to get him into office in 2023.
History will either recall him as the shrewd man who broke out of his godfather’s shadow to become himself, or as the one who committed an unforced error as a politician.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How old is Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf?
Born on January 5, 1963, he is 63 years old as of 2026.
2. Is Abba Kabir Yusuf related to Rabiu Kwankwaso?
Yes. In addition to being his political godson, Kwankwaso is Abba’s son-in-law, which brings a lot of political drama to the mix.
3. What made Abba Kabir Yusuf switch from NNPP to APC?
Although official reports allege that the defection was driven by the aspiration to be joined with the Federal Government for improved development of the state, it has been believed by political scientists that the move was a tactic to gain his 2027 re-election ticket and lead Kano’s large voting block to the APC.
4. Who is Abba Kabir Yusuf’s wife?
He is married to Hajiya Maryam Abba Kabir Yusuf, present First Lady of Kano State.
5. What is his educational background?
He has a National Diploma, Higher National Diploma (HND) and a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) all from Bayero University Kano, Kano, Nigeria.
Peter Ogbemudia
