A cross-section of Kano residents on Saturday praised Governor Abba Yusuf for his decision to resign from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

One of them, Abubakar Isa of Unguwar Wanbai, Gwale Local Government Area, said the governor’s political move would allow him to concentrate on delivering his campaign promises without undue interference from any godfather.

According to him, the governor will now be free to appoint commissioners, special advisers and heads of government’s agencies at his discretion, thereby ensuring the proper execution of government’s programmes.

In his contribution, Musa Ibrahim of Shagari Quarters, said for the first time, Mr Yusuf appeared to be independent and would be able to fulfil his role as a democratically-elected leader.

He described the development as “the best thing that had happened to the political growth of Kano State.”

Mr Yusuf has widely been commended for demonstrating political maturity by honourably resigning NNPP, a move described as a bold step toward genuine independence.

Another Kano resident, Muhuyi Magaji, stated that the resignation would open the way for substantial political development in the state.

He explained that by leaving the party, the governor could now pursue development plans without interference from any godfather, thereby helping to restructure Kano’s political landscape for optimal growth.

Mr Magaji added that the governor’s decision to choose independence would propel the state to greater heights, enabling him to shape policies and projects free from undue external influence.

Besides, Hadiza Mohammed of Hotoro Quarters said the governor’s exit from the NNPP had already altered the political narrative in Kano State, creating expectations of positive contributions from the federal government, including appointments that could foster the state’s growth.

She said that Mr Yusuf placed the state’s interest at heart by resigning and, potentially, by joining the All Progressives Congress, a move she believes would serve the common good of Kano State.

Dr Abubakar Salihu of the Department of Public Administration, Bayero University Kano, commended  Mr Yusuf for resigning from the NNPP.

Mr Salihu described the governor’s decision as a positive development for the state’s political landscape and “one of the best things that has happened to the political growth of Kano.”

He added that should Mr Yusuf align with the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kano State could expect improved access to federally‑funded infrastructure projects, stronger bargaining power in budgetary allocations, and strategic appointments for Kano elites within key national institutions.

According to Mr Salihu, such an alignment historically translated into accelerated development in many states, citing examples such as road construction, water projects and an expanded security presence.

He added that the move could maximise both the governor’s personal influence and the state’s perceived advantage, resulting in an increase in state and federal government projects without undue interference from political godfathers.

Also speaking, Unnocent Okafor of Sabon Gari, Fagge Local Government, lauded the political maturity demonstrated by Mr Yusuf, highlighting that he left the NNPP without any conflict with his former political leader.

He said, “Governor Yusuf is a political class to be reckoned with. He entered politics through the NNPP and recognised that the state would be better served by aligning with the centre, and he did so without any political rancour. This is truly commendable.”

Besides, Kabiru Musa from Bunkure Local Government also commended Governor Abba Yusuf for resigning from the NNPP and for his potential move to join the APC for the good of Kano State.

He said, “We in the Bunkure Local Government Area already see the impact of the Federal Government through projects in agriculture, delivered by the Hadejia‑Jamaare River Basin Development Authority, and through educational initiatives such as the Air Force Secondary School in Rano.”

Mr Musa added that the federal interventions, already evident in the area, demonstrated that the governor’s decision was “the best thing that has happened to Kano State.”

The governor’s was followed out of the NNPP by 21 members of the state assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives and 44 local‑government chairmen across the state.
( NAN)