Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, who is widely believed to be planning a defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on January 12, has broken his silence for the first time since the controversy emerged.

In a viral video circulating online, the governor was seen addressing a group, where he explained his decision to remain silent on the issue. According to him, he deliberately avoided commenting on the growing speculations because he does not believe in excessive talk.

“I have never commented on the discussions surrounding the issues at stake because I don’t believe in talking too much,” the governor said.

Although the exact date and time of the video could not be independently verified, the remarks were generally understood to be in reference to the ongoing controversy surrounding his alleged plan to defect.

Governor Yusuf further noted that what initially appeared to be a minor issue had been exaggerated, citing a popular Hausa saying popularised by a local singer: “Karamar magana ta zama babba.”

“As everyone knows, I don’t believe in talking too much,” he reiterated. “I am an action man. I believe in actions that will positively impact my people—those actions are visible to everyone. That is what I stand for, not excessive talk.”

Kano State has recently been awash with reports of the governor’s possible move to the APC. While some political stakeholders in the state believe such a decision would help Kano align more closely with the federal government, others within the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have condemned the move.

Critics within the NNPP describe the alleged defection as a betrayal of the trust reposed in Governor Yusuf by the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.