The reported decision by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State to drop the iconic red cap and align with the All Progressives Congress (APC), if confirmed, would mark the end of an era and the beginning of a hard political reality check for Kano politics.
For years, the red cap has symbolised resistance, grassroots mobilisation, and ideological politics under the Kwankwasiyya movement. It represented a departure from elite consensus politics and embodied the will of the urban poor and political outsiders. Its expected abandonment is therefore not just a personal decision by Governor Yusuf—it is a loud statement about how power truly operates in Nigeria’s political system.
In Nigeria, state governance rarely thrives in isolation from the centre. Governors who choose to remain in opposition often find themselves navigating hostile legislatures, limited federal cooperation, and constant political distractions. Kano, with its complex political history and strategic importance, is no exception. Aligning with the ruling party at the federal level has increasingly become less about ideology and more about political survival and administrative convenience.
However, this moment also exposes the fragility of movement-based politics. When a movement is overly tied to personalities rather than institutions, its sustainability becomes questionable once power dynamics shift. If the Kwankwasiyya brand loses Kano—the very heart of its identity—it must now confront a difficult question: Is it a movement of ideas or merely a vehicle for power?
For the APC, this potential defection is a strategic victory. Kano is not just another state; it is a political prize with national implications. Reclaiming Kano strengthens the party’s dominance in the North-West and further weakens opposition cohesion ahead of future electoral contests.
Yet, beyond party gains and losses, the most important issue remains governance. Kano people did not vote for symbols; they voted for improved security, economic opportunities, infrastructure, and social welfare. If political realignment delivers stability, cooperation, and accelerated development, many citizens may ultimately accept it. But if it merely reshuffles elites while leaving public expectations unmet, disillusionment will deepen.
History will judge this moment not by the colour of a cap or the logo of a party, but by outcomes. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf now stands at a crossroads where pragmatism must translate into performance. Kano State deserves more than political drama—it deserves results.
