Salihu Tanko Yakasai Defects To ADC, Warns President Tinubu Against Turning Kano Into A One-Party State Ahead Of 2027

Salihu Tanko Yakasai joins the ADC and warns President Tinubu that Kano's history of political pluralism will defeat any one-party state ambitions.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 1, 2026, 9:28 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from LEADERSHIP

A Strategic Shift in Kano’s Political Alignment

Salihu Tanko Yakasai, a prominent figure in Kano politics and a former gubernatorial candidate for the People's Redemption Party (PRP), has officially defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Yakasai, who previously served as a media aide to former APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, cited a profound dissatisfaction with the current administration's style of leadership as the primary reason for his departure. In a detailed statement released on Wednesday, he characterized the move as a necessary response to a governance style that he believes ignores the core values of public interest and ideological commitment.

Rejecting the "One-Party" Ambition for Kano

A central theme of Yakasai's critique is the alleged attempt by President Bola Tinubu to consolidate Kano State into a one-party system under the All Progressives Congress. Yakasai described this ambition as a major miscalculation, emphasizing that "Kano is not Lagos." He argued that Kano's political identity is historically rooted in opposition and pluralism, dating back to the era of the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) and the "Santsi da Tabo" period. According to Yakasai, the people of Kano have never succumbed to a single-party hegemony and are unlikely to do so under current pressures.

Ideological Roots and the Legacy of Aminu Kano

Yakasai pointed to the late Mallam Aminu Kano as the architect of the state’s political values, which prioritize truth, justice, and accountability over blind partisan loyalty. He noted that opposition in Kano is not performed for its own sake but acts as a critical mechanism to ensure societal progress and good governance. By attempting to dismantle this pluralistic structure, Yakasai argues that the presidency is disregarding the deep-seated ideological commitments of the Kano electorate—commitments that have historically favored those who demonstrate fairness and tangible development.