Zainab Musa Kwankwaso, the second wife of Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, has filed for divorce at an Abuja court, offering to refund the dowry paid by the governor to end their 20-year marriage.
Zainab, a daughter of former Kano State Governor and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, approached the Upper Area Court sitting in Gudu, Abuja, seeking dissolution of the marriage through khul’i, an Islamic procedure that allows a woman to seek separation from her husband, usually in exchange for compensation or the return of her dowry.
A civil summons obtained by DAILY NIGERIAN, with reference number CV/97/26, directed Yusuf to appear before the court on November 17, 2026.
The couple got married on July 29, 2006, when Zainab was serving as an aide to her father. The marriage produced six children.
In her particulars of claim, Zainab cited an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, alleging that their relationship had been characterised by a persistent absence of reciprocal care, love, affection and emotional connection.
She told the court that she had also lost her love and affection for the governor and developed a deep-seated aversion to the marriage.
She further expressed fear that remaining in the union would make it difficult for her to observe the limits prescribed by Allah regarding a wife’s obligations.
According to the court documents, Zainab said attempts to reconcile the couple and restore harmony had failed, adding that the governor’s heart had completely turned away from the marriage.
She consequently offered to refund the dowry Yusuf paid on their wedding day as part of her request for the dissolution of the union.
The divorce move comes amid reports of a prolonged marital crisis between the couple, against the backdrop of the political fallout between Yusuf and his former political godfather and father-in-law, Kwankwaso.
The governor and the former senator reportedly fell out about a year ago, with sources suggesting that the political disagreement may have further strained the marriage.
On October 28, Zainab reportedly left the Kano Government House for her father’s residence on Miller Road, Kano, before travelling to Abuja without her police orderly and other security escorts.
Her police orderly reportedly became suspicious of her departure and alerted superiors at the Government House, who subsequently informed the governor.
Sources said airport security officials were initially instructed not to allow her to board the flight. However, they later permitted her to travel after concerns that stopping her could trigger a scene at the airport.
The incident reportedly led to the arrest and questioning of security operatives assigned to guard her quarters at the Government House, as well as personnel attached to Kwankwaso’s Miller Road residence. They were later released by the Kano State Police Command.
Zainab’s elder sister and elder brother, Ado Kwankwaso, were also reportedly invited by the police over allegations that they assisted her in leaving Kano.
Sources further alleged that pressure was being mounted on the police to charge Ado with kidnapping.
The court proceedings now place the couple’s marital crisis before a judicial authority, with the governor expected to appear on November 17.
