Kano Governor’s Wife, Kwankwaso’s Daughter, Files for Divorce, Ready to Return Dowry

Zainab Musa Kwankwaso, daughter of former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and second wife of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approached an Abuja court seeking the dissolution of her marriage.

Zainab filed the divorce suit at an Upper Area Court in Gudu, Abuja, under the Islamic practice of Khul’i, which permits a woman to seek the termination of her marriage by returning the dowry or providing compensation to her husband.

She has indicated her willingness to refund the dowry paid by the Kano governor during their marriage.

Court documents reportedly show that Governor Yusuf has been directed to appear before the court on November 17, 2026, to answer the claims contained in the petition.

In her suit, Zainab attributed her decision to what she described as a breakdown of the marriage, claiming that the relationship had been characterised by a persistent lack of love, care, affection and emotional connection.

She further informed the court that attempts to reconcile the couple had failed, leaving her determined to pursue the dissolution of the union.

The marriage between Zainab and Yusuf was contracted on July 29, 2006, and has produced six children.

Her decision to seek a divorce follows reports that she recently left the Kano Government House and relocated to her father’s residence before moving to Abuja.

The court is expected to hear the matter when the governor appears on November 17, 2026.