In a dramatic political realignment, eight members of the House of Representatives from Kano State formally defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday.
The mass defection, which signals a significant shift in the political dynamics of Nigeria’s most populous state, was announced during plenary at the Green Chamber. The move represents a major blow to the NNPP, which controls the Kano State Government House, and a substantial boost for the APC as it consolidates its federal influence.
The announcement drew a high-profile audience, underscoring the political weight of the development. Among those present to witness the defection were Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, a prominent figure in the NNPP; Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin; and former Kano governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who now serves as a national leader of the APC. Their presence highlighted the escalating political contest for control and influence in the state.
Political analysts view the defection as a major realignment ahead of future electoral contests. For the APC, the addition of eight federal lawmakers strengthens its numerical standing in the House and deepens its foothold in a state where the NNPP had mounted a formidable challenge in the 2023 elections.
The lawmakers have yet to publicly detail their reasons for leaving the NNPP, but the coordinated switch points to intensifying factional battles and strategic maneuvering within Kano’s political landscape. The development is expected to further polarize the state’s political environment as both parties position themselves for the next electoral cycle.