|By Adejumo Adekunle
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Abdullahi Abbas, has disclosed that Governor Abba Yusuf may formally register and collect the party’s membership card between Tuesday and Wednesday, heightening speculation over an imminent political defection.
Abbas made the disclosure while addressing about 1,500 ad hoc staff engaged to manage the party’s electronic membership registration exercise across the state. He explained that the APC deliberately delayed the commencement of the e-registration pending the return of the party’s state leader, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, and Governor Yusuf from Abuja, where both leaders were meeting President Bola Tinubu.
He directed the ad hoc staff to remain on standby, stressing that the registration exercise would begin immediately the leaders return to Kano. According to him, the process would not extend beyond Wednesday.
Abbas said the party chose not to rush the exercise out of courtesy, given widespread reports of the governor’s planned defection to the APC. He noted that the delay was intended to give all prospective members, including the governor, a fair opportunity to formally join the party.
The APC chairman reiterated that the registration exercise would commence no later than Wednesday and expressed the party’s ambition to make Kano the state with the highest number of new APC members nationwide, surpassing even Lagos.
He urged registration officials to admit all interested applicants without discrimination, adding that local governments and wards that record the highest influx of new members would be rewarded by the party.
Abbas described the training of ad hoc staff as crucial, emphasizing that registration is mandatory for full party membership. He said unregistered individuals would be ineligible to vote or contest for any position within the APC.
He noted that while the registration exercise had begun in other states about two weeks earlier, political developments in Kano necessitated a delay. The party, he said, opted to wait to accommodate all prospective members amid reports of high-profile defections.
The APC chairman reaffirmed that the party remains open to all Nigerians, irrespective of age or social status, stressing that both leaders and ordinary citizens are essential to the party’s growth.
Acknowledging the economic challenges facing citizens, Abbas expressed optimism that conditions would improve before the next general election.
He added that the APC national leadership had already trained key state officials and coordinators, noting that the registration exercise would continue until the end of the month. He further hinted that strong party support at the ward and local government levels could translate into future political benefits.
Abbas also clarified that only individuals with valid Permanent Voter Cards and National Identity cards would be eligible for the e-registration exercise, explaining that accurate data is essential for effective party planning and electoral success.
