Zainab Musa, daughter of Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) vice presidential candidate, Engr. Rabiu Kwankwaso and second wife of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has reportedly filed for divorce at an Upper Area Court in Abuja, offering to return the dowry paid by the governor.
Zainab is seeking the dissolution of the 20-year-old marriage through khul’i, an Islamic legal process that allows a woman to seek divorce, usually by offering the dowry to her husband.
This comes months after her father accused Governor Yusuf of political betrayal, following his dumping of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), after becoming governor with his help, for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Yusuf had largely benefitted from Kwankwaso’s political influence.
However, it is unclear if this is connected with Zainab’s move to terminate the marriage.
According to DAILY NIGERIAN, the case was instituted at the Upper Area Court in Gudu, Abuja, with a civil summons carrying reference number CV/97/26.
The court has reportedly summoned Governor Yusuf to appear on November 17, 2026, over the matter.
The couple married on July 29, 2006, and have six children together.
Details contained in the court documents indicate that Zainab wants the marriage terminated because of what she described as a loss of love and emotional attachment, alongside a prolonged absence of affection and mutual care.
She reportedly told the court that her feelings towards the governor had changed to the extent that she no longer wished to remain in the relationship.
According to the report, attempts to resolve the differences between the couple had not yielded the desired result, prompting her decision to seek divorce.
She is said to have expressed readiness to return the dowry received during the marriage as part of the process.
DAILY NIGERIAN reported that Zainab left the Kano Government House for Abuja on October 28 after visiting her father’s residence on Miller Road in Kano.
The publication, quoting sources, claimed that she travelled without her police orderly and other security personnel attached to her.
It further reported that her orderly raised an alarm after discovering her departure, leading to the matter being brought to the attention of the governor.
The report alleged that airport security officials initially received instructions to stop her from boarding her flight but later allowed her to travel to prevent a possible confrontation.
Zainab’s elder sister and brother, Ado Kwankwaso, were also reportedly invited for questioning over allegations that they helped facilitate her journey to Abuja.
These claims surrounding her departure and the alleged police actions have not been independently confirmed.