Mustapha Kwankwaso Follows Father’s Lead, Resigns From NNPP To Join African Democratic Congress

Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso quits the NNPP to join the African Democratic Congress, following his father's exit. Read about the shift in Kano politics.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 30, 2026, 11:00 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Sun Nigeria

The Collapse of the Kwankwasiyya-NNPP Alliance

The political landscape of Kano State and the broader Nigerian opposition has been shifted by the official departure of Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Mustapha, who previously served as the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development in Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s cabinet, announced his resignation on Monday, March 30, 2026. This move comes less than 24 hours after his father, the NNPP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, also abandoned the party. The dual exit marks a definitive end to the alliance between the influential Kwankwasiyya movement and the NNPP platform.

Strategic Alignment with the African Democratic Congress

In a statement released via his social media channels, Mustapha Kwankwaso revealed that he is already in the process of formalizing his membership with the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He described the decision as a "deliberate and well-considered move," driven by a conviction that the ADC is currently the best-positioned platform to bring desired change to Nigeria and Kano State. The ADC has recently emerged as a significant hub for defectors from various major parties, including high-profile figures from the PDP and APC, signaling its intent to form a formidable third-force coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Resignation Following Political Fallout in Kano

Mustapha’s exit from the NNPP is the culmination of a months-long political rift within Kano State. In January 2026, he resigned his commissionership under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf following a visible fallout between the Governor and Senator Kwankwaso. As the Secretary of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Mustapha’s transition to the ADC suggests that the movement's entire grassroots structure may be moving toward the new platform. This shift poses a significant challenge to Governor Yusuf’s administration, which rose to power primarily on the back of the Kwankwasiyya ideological base.