Former Kano State governor and national leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has declared January 23 as the ‘World Day of Betrayal’ following the defection of his political protégé, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, alongside key elected officials in the state from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Kwankwaso made the declaration on Saturday while addressing members of various Kwankwasiyya groups who visited his residence on Miller Road, Kano, to reaffirm their loyalty to him amid the unfolding political scenario in the State.
Governor Yusuf had defected from the NNPP alongside 21 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives, and all 44 local government chairmen in the state on Friday, January 23, 2026.
Reacting to the development, Kwankwaso said he had followed reactions on social media, describing the defection as an act of betrayal, noting that one particular comment caught his attention.
“I have seen many comments on social media; several people are talking about betrayal, but none caught my attention like the one suggesting that the 23rd of this month should be declared the World Day of Betrayal,” he said, as supporters cheered.
Kwankwaso said he endorsed the suggestion and announced plans to institutionalise the date
“As the leader of this party, I support the proposal to name the 23rd of January as the World Day of Betrayal. From now henceforth, we shall bring out programmes to commemorate this day every year, so that the people involved now, and those who may likely follow in their footsteps in this betrayal, will be reminded,” he added.
The former governor’s remarks come amid the ongoing political developments in Kano State, where the defection of Governor Yusuf has triggered a deep split within the NNPP’s structure and support base.
