A prominent female political figure in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Hajiya Mariam Usman Shehu Yaro (Zarar Maru), has formally defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement she personally signed,  Hajiya Mariam said the defection was witnessed by top APC stakeholders in Zamfara State, including the former APC governorship candidate in the 2019 general election, His Excellency Mukhtar Shehu Idris, and the member of the House of Representatives representing Maru/Bungudu Federal Constituency, Hon. Abdulmalik Zubairu (Zannan Bungudu).

Leaders of the APC from across the major political blocs in the state were also present, including representatives from the camp of former Governor Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, as well as allies of the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle. Notable stakeholders such as Lawal M. Liman (Gabdon Kauran Namoda) and Alhaji Tukur Danfulani (Gusau) also attended.

Hajiya Mariam Yaro previously served as Managing Director of the Zamfara State Investment and Property Development Company, where she played a key role in promoting trade, investment, and economic development initiatives within the state.

Political realignments have continued to intensify across Zamfara State, with defections occurring across party lines.

Speaking on her decision, Hajiya Mariam Yaro stated that her move to the APC was driven by a renewed commitment to service, unity, and development for the people of Zamfara State, emphasizing that politics must remain a vehicle for improving lives, strengthening communities, and creating opportunities for sustainable growth.

The New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, last month lost the only state they controlled to the All Progressives Congress, APC, after Governor Abba Yusuf joined numerous other state governors seeking survival ahead of the 2027 general elections.

DAILY POST reported that Kano recently faced biggest political defection as Governor Yusuf parted ways with Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso and aligned himself with Kwankwaso’s longtime rival or what some people have called political enemy, Abdullahi Ganduje.

For NNPP loyalists, the governor chose shelter over loyalty, power over pedigree and survival over structure.

There have also been questions about Kwankwaso being overbearing, a reason attributed to a similar decision from Ganduje when he was governor.

In his letter of resignation from the party that brought him to power,  Yusuf said he could no longer stay in the NNPP because of persistent internal crisis, unresolved leadership disputes at state and national levels, prolonged court cases involving party leadership, deep divisions and disenfranchisement of members, a belief that the cracks in the party had become irreconcilable, adding that his staying in the party would no longer serve the best interest of Kano State.

Kwankwaso, a former minister of defence, former governor and the leader of the Kwankwasiyya group and the NNPP, could not hide tears over Yusuf’s defection.

The former governor  described Monday, January 26, 2026, the day Abba Yusuf, also known as Abba Gida-Gida formally joined APC, as one that should be marked in the world as a day of ‘betrayal’.

Speaking after the Governor’s defection, the 2023 presidential candidate of the NNPP, said, “Today, as the leader of this movement, I declared the 23rd of January as Betrayal Day.

“We believe that day should be permanently recorded in history to ensure global awareness of betrayal and the breaking of trust exists”.

In a separate interview with the BBC Hausa, Kwankwaso said by allowing Ganduje to raise his hand publicly, Abba Yusuf will not win the governorship election in 2027.

He said, “When I saw Ganduje raising Abba’s hand, I knew automatically that Abba would not win any election. People of Kano don’t support Gandujiyya. Ganduje lost the 2019 election, and his candidate also lost in 2023. So, Abba will not win in 2027.”

The APC in the state immediately countered this through its Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, saying, “Ganduje has raised the hands of many governorship candidates, and they have emerged victorious.

“He has supported the governors of Imo, Kogi, Osun, and others, and his backing has consistently translated into wins. Kwankwaso needs to examine the number of hands raised by both himself and Ganduje, and the resulting victories. Abba cannot be an exception.

“The hands of Ganduje are truly hands of victory. Victoria ascerta. Our party is popular in Kano; it enjoys the support of the people because of the laudable achievements through the Renewed Hope Agenda. So victory is certain for our party and candidates in 2027.

“Kwankwaso has contested against the APC in the past and lost. Losing to the APC is therefore not a new development. No rhetoric can change the trajectory of the people, and it is clear that there is no victory in the direction of the opposition party and Kwankwaso in Kano State.”

Also, the Secretary of the NNPP Board of Trustees, Buba Galadima, told Arise News that the Governor moved to APC on his own personal interest and not Kano.

“Had Governor Yusuf moved from NNPP to another platform other than APC, I would have said he moved well. But in this case, it is only a matter of survival, not the Kano people, not the peace in Kano he wanted us to swallow.

“And I want to say with clarity that this betrayal is the third in the history of the whole world, one by Judas against Jesus, the second was Brutus against the Caesars. Now the third one that ought to go to the world Guinness Book of Records, is the one just announced by Governor Yusuf of Kano.

“That’s why our leader had asked that we should declare every 23rd of January the world’s greatest betrayal day. I’m well above 75, and if I could shed tears on anything, it must have touched me beyond expression, because I don’t give into sentiments just like that.”

Asked what becomes of Kwankwaso, Amb. Auwal Musa Muhammad, the National Youth Leader, NNPP, told DAILY POST, “The NNPP structure across the federation—at national, state, LGA, ward, and grassroots levels—remains firmly loyal to Kwankwaso. This loyalty is built on trust, ideology, consistency, and proven leadership over the years.

“The NNPP cannot be weakened by political decisions driven by personal interest or convenience. Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is not a political accident.

“He is a tested, consistent, and results-oriented leader whose political journey spans decades of service, sacrifice, and people-focused governance. His achievements as Governor of Kano State remain visible and verifiable.

“The decision of His Excellency, Abba Kabir Yusuf, Governor of Kano State, to move to the APC is his personal political decision, and we wish him well. That is politics.

“However, this decision does not in any way affect Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the NNPP structure, or its political strength—either in Kano State or nationwide.

“Senator Kwankwaso is not in competition with defectors. He operates from a position of ideology, legacy, and a solid political base built over time. Political relevance is earned through service, consistency, and the confidence of the people— not by changing political platforms.

“NNPP remains intact, united, disciplined, and unwaveringly loyal to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. It is a party built on structure, ideology, and grassroots strength, not on convenience.

“No defection can erase history. No individual decision can dismantle structure. NNPP is strong,  united and remains loyal.”

Also speaking to DAILY POST, a former presidential candidate and activist, Chief Peter Ameh, said that there was no way Governor Yusuf would return to power after the 2027 governorship election.

“I think those who are judging Kwankwaso as somebody who has fallen are mistaking the facts. The facts are very clear, and they are stubborn.

“The fact that in 2019, Kwankwaso put Yusuf on the line to become governor. Himself was not a governor. They relied on the structure of the Kwankwasiyya and fought very seriously to try to defeat the APC structure, including the authority and power of state; they won the election but it was rigged.

“There was retreat but there was no surrender. In 2023 they got back. They contested the election, and they won against Ganduje with all the federal might and all the federal structure and with all the power of the state, which is the federal government might.

“So what made Abba Yusuf governor is Kwankwaso because nobody knew him in Nigeria. He became governor because of the Kwankwasiyya movement.

“And as long as Kwankwaso remains in NNPP and does not join APC, Yusuf should be afraid of the consequences of his action, because Kwankwaso is the person pioneering and piloting the affairs of the conversation.

“So I believe that as angry as I can see the people of Kano, who are politically inclined against what obtains in other parts of this country, I’m very sure that in 2027 Abba Yusuf will be taught a lesson.

“Our election dynamics have changed. It has changed from people rigging, stuffing ballot boxes and rewriting results without the vote, democratic theft of electoral mandates.”

Meanwhile, the Kano State Government has maintained that Abba Yusuf will cruise to victory in the 2027 general election with or without Kwankwaso.

The government rubbished claims that Yusuf cannot secure a second term without the backing of political godfathers, insisting that his re-election prospects rest on performance and popular support.

The Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, in a statement, while responding to remarks attributed to Galadima, said that supporters of the governor should sleep with their two eyes closed as victory is assured.

“Kano operates on its own historical rhythm, civic memory and political consciousness.

“Power in the state ultimately rests with the electorate, whose loyalty has always been conditional on performance, character, trust and credibility,” he said.

However, warning the Governor of an impending doom, the NNPP,  through its National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, reminded him that, “this is not the first time such a betrayal has occurred in the political history of Kano.

“In the early 1980s, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi defected from the People’s Redemption Party, PRP, to the Nigerian People’s Party, NPP, taking with him the vast majority of elected officials—including nearly all local government chairmen and councillors, 120 out of 126 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, and most Kano representatives in the National Assembly.

“Yet, the electorate delivered a resounding verdict: In the 1983 gubernatorial election, Rimi was humiliatingly defeated by Mallam Aliyu Sabo Bakin Zuwo of the PRP, finishing second. Even more telling, of the 120 state assembly members who joined Rimi’s defection, only one was re-elected— an outcome that should serve as a sobering lesson to any politician contemplating the path of disloyalty.

“History has consistently shown that those who trade loyalty for expediency, and honour for deceit, rarely escape the judgment of the people. The truth endures, and the loyalty of Kano’s masses to principled leadership will ultimately prevail.”

Kwankwaso and Yusuf tested their popularity at Singer Market in Kano on Thursday when both men made separate appearances to sympathize with traders after a devastating fire incident.

Kwankwaso was the first to arrive at the market and was hailed by a crowd of supporters and a few hours later, Governor Yusuf paid his own visit and was similarly welcomed by a crowd.

Governor Yusuf offered immediate government intervention and pledged financial support to the affected traders, while Kwankwaso’s appearance and reception served as a reminder that the godfather’s influence still permeates the state.

The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Women’s Health, Dr Adanna Steinacker, has called for elaborate collaboration and institutional partnerships among stakeholders to improve health outcomes for women and girls across Nigeria.

At a meeting with the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, MWAN, Dr Steinacker said Nigeria’s scale and population make women’s health a shared national responsibility rather than the duty of a single office or individual.

She noted that the high maternal mortality burden in some parts of the country makes maternal health the top priority for her office, alongside family planning and mental health awareness, stressing that interventions will be implemented through existing institutions and professional bodies to avoid duplication.

“The goal is to align, strengthen systems and ensure sustainable locally owned programmes that improve women’s health without duplicating existing efforts.

“This is the first time there’s an office for women’s health. We are looking to fill the gaps of accurate advocacy, raising health literacy. and maternal health, sexual and reproductive health, as well as mental health.

Dr Steinacker pointed out that digital media and advocacy will be a national voice for women’s health, relying on organisations like MWAN to collect accurate information and distribute them among their networks, programmes and campaigns.

“We need digital media and advocacy to improve health literacy, geopolitically anchored campaigns on maternal, sexual and reproductive, and mental health, and high-level summits and coalition-building with government, civil society, the private sector, and global partners.”

In her response, the President of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, MWAN, Dr Zainab Kwaru Muhammed, said the body has a strong network across Nigeria and is well disposed to help the federal government achieve its objectives.

She highlighted MWAN’s ongoing initiatives on maternal and child health and said support from the presidency would enhance their reach and effectiveness.

“We believe we have a ready tool to carry out campaigns, we have a strong network across the states. We look forward to engaging with your office to carry this out. As medical women, we’re in the digital age and need resources to carry out campaigns.”

No fewer than 30 passengers were reportedly killed in a road accident involving a trailer, even as Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf ordered immediate medical intervention for those who survived the fatal crash.

According to reports, the accident involved a trailer heading towards Gujungu which allegedly crashed as a result of reckless driving, leading to the death of over 30 persons, while many others sustained serious injuries.

Governor Alhaji Yusuf expressed deep sympathy and condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragic road accident that occurred early Sunday morning at Kwanar Barde in Gezawa Local Government Area of the state.

This was contained in a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Sunday.

The governor described the incident as heartbreaking and a grave loss, not only to the affected families but to the entire people of Kano State.

Governor Yusuf prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and asked Allah to grant their families the fortitude to bear the painful loss.

He also prayed for the speedy recovery of those currently receiving treatment in various hospitals across the state.

The governor has directed the Kano State Ministry of Health to ensure that all victims of the accident admitted in hospitals receive free and adequate medical care without delay.

He further directed the Office of the Special Adviser on Humanitarian Affairs to immediately assess the casualties and propose measures to support the families of the victims.

Governor Yusuf also cautioned motorists, particularly drivers of heavy-duty vehicles, to shun reckless driving and strictly adhere to traffic regulations in order to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army said on Sunday that it would investigate allegations that some military officers were shielding drug peddlers in the Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.

This followed accusations by the chairman of the LCDA, Jimoh Saliu, who alleged that some top military officers were protecting illicit drug peddlers in the area.

In a statement on Sunday, Saliu claimed that a place known as Gidan Drama in the Marine Beach community of Apapa, which is not far from the Tego Army Barracks, served as a hub for illicit drug activities.

Describing the area as a hideout for notorious criminals, the LCDA chairman said various criminal activities were being perpetrated there, including the sale of illicit drugs and stolen goods.

Speaking at an event marking the 70th anniversary of the Corona Schools Trust Council at St Theresa Nursery and Primary School, Marine Beach, Saliu urged the state government and well-meaning organisations to acquire the area for the construction of a secondary school.

“The security situation in the LCDA is so bad and porous that even here in Marine Beach, there is a place called Gidan Drama, which is a nightmare to our existence.

“The whole area has been troubled by these bad boys, and I have been working with the police to track them down. If you go there now, you will find top military and police officers making it difficult to arrest drug peddlers and other criminal elements operating in the area.

“When they commit any criminal act, they run into the place, and when you get there, they are protected and arrest is prevented.

“With this situation, the future of our children is uncertain. We have many millionaires and billionaires in this community, yet none is investing in its future or development. If you go to Gidan Drama at night, you will see people bringing out bales of naira to buy all sorts of illicit drugs. If any local government official goes there, they are threatened or arrested.

“I recall that three staff members of the Apapa-Iganmu LCDA were arrested two weeks ago and taken to the Naval Dockyard. I had to contact the commander to explain that they were on an intelligence visit to Gidan Drama before they were released,” he said.

Saliu commended the Corona Schools Trust Council for its initiative in investing in the education and future of children.

When contacted over the allegations made by the council chairman, the spokesperson for the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lt Col Musa Yahaya, said the chairman needed to be specific about which arm of the military he was referring to in order to aid investigations.

“When you say ‘military,’ you are referring to the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The military is a very large organisation.

“I speak for the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army. Issues like this require investigation before any response. I cannot speak on it for now, but I will make inquiries,” he told The PUNCH in a telephone interview on Sunday.