Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has returned to Nigeria from London amid reports of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, preparing to defect to the ruling party. Ganduje arrived in Abuja early Monday morning aboard a British Airways flight, according to a statement from his Chief of Staff, Muhammad Garba.

Garba said the former Kano State governor is expected to travel to Kano later in the day to begin a series of important political activities. One of his key engagements includes participation in the APC’s electronic membership registration exercise, a programme he introduced during his time as the party’s national chairman.

He is also expected to take a leading role in activities linked to the anticipated reception of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf into the APC. The planned defection has continued to generate political discussions in Kano, with party stakeholders preparing for what could be a major shift in the state’s political landscape.

Ganduje’s return comes shortly after a family engagement in the United Kingdom. He had travelled to London to attend the graduation ceremony of his daughter, Fatima Ganduje, who earned a Master’s degree from King’s College, London. Fatima is married to Idris Ajimobi, son of the late former Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi.