Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has declared January 23 as “Betrayal Day” following the resignation of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, from the party. The declaration came amid growing political tension in Kano over the governor’s planned move to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking to his supporters in Kano, Kwankwaso said the date should be remembered as a symbol of broken trust. According to him, January 23 should be permanently marked in history to remind people of political betrayal and the abandonment of collective struggle. He described the governor’s exit as a painful moment for the NNPP movement.

Kwankwaso noted that the party and its supporters worked hard to secure the mandate that brought Governor Yusuf to power. He said handing over that mandate to political rivals goes against the trust and sacrifices made by loyal party members who stood firm during difficult times.

The NNPP leader also revealed that he had personally appealed to the governor to remain in the party. Despite these efforts, the defection went ahead, prompting Kwankwaso’s strong reaction. The development has continued to spark debates within Kano’s political space and among NNPP supporters nationwide.