Kebbi’s political map shifted on Tuesday as Alhaji Lawali Dakingari, a prominent PDP chieftain and former governorship aspirant, led a massive wave of defections.

The defection included 2,208 delegates from polling units across Suru Local Government Area from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

The move marks one of the largest single defections in Kebbi in recent months and underscores the increasingly fluid political alliances as parties manoeuvre ahead of future election cycles.

The defectors were received at the government house, Birnin Kebbi, by Governor Nasir Idris, alongside APC leaders and representatives from all 21 local government areas of the state.

Suru LG and the wider Dakingari political structure have traditionally been key assets to both PDP and APC in Kebbi, especially since the era of ex- Governor Sa’idu Dakingari (2007–2015).

PDP once dominated the zone, but its influence has waned following APC’s consolidation of power in the state and internal PDP disputes after the 2023 elections.

Speaking at the event, Lawali Dakingari said the mass switch to the APC was done “in good faith” and without conditions, crediting the leadership style of Governor Idris and the political legacy of former Governor Dakingari.

“We joined the APC because we believe in sincerity, justice and unity,” he said, noting that members of the ADC and long-standing PDP loyalists dating back to 1999 were part of the wave.

He disclosed that more defections are expected in the coming days, including former local government chairmen and other political stakeholders who could not attend due to short notice, signalling continued realignments within Kebbi’s opposition space.

APC State Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Kana-Zuru, described the development as a “major numerical boost” for the party, urging both new and old members to prioritise party registration and voter mobilisation ahead of future elections.

Governor Idris thanked the defectors, saying the influx reflects shared goals and growing alignment across Suru and beyond.
“Today we are one family. By the grace of Allah, we will continue to work together to deepen peace, strengthen security and deliver more dividends of democracy,” he said.

Immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, has assured Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, of victory in the 2027 governorship election and pledged full support for his second-term bid following his defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party back to the APC.

Ganduje made the pledge on Monday during a ceremony welcoming Yusuf to the ruling party at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano, describing the governor’s return as a “historic homecoming” and a major boost for APC in the state.

“You will win your second term in 2027. We have spoken to all aspirants, and they have agreed to support you,” Ganduje said. “In APC, all serving governors are leaders of the party in their respective states. Therefore, you are the leader of the APC in Kano State.

“We were in APC together with you, it was formed with you; but later, on, because of some political differences, political redirection, you left the party for the NNPP but now, we are thankful that you are back to our party and your home.

He described Yusuf as a progressive politician whose leadership style aligns with APC ideology.

“As our brother, the Governor of Kano State, you are a progressive politician from your utterances, your policies and the implementation of those policies,” he said.

Ganduje also assured the governor of equal treatment within the party and expressed confidence that the APC would record sweeping victories in future elections, including President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election.

Governor Yusuf formally rejoined APC on Monday, fter resigning from the NNPP on January 23, citing persistent internal crises, ongoing legal battles, and the need to safeguard the developmental interests of Kano State.

In his resignation letter to the chairman of Diso-Chiranchi Ward of the NNPP in Gwale Local Government Area, Yusuf explained that the decision was taken after wide consultation and careful reflection on the state’s future.

“Leadership must rise above comfort, sentiment or personal selfishness. That is why, after careful reflection and consultation, I relinquish my membership of NNPP and joined the party that is better for Kano,” Yusuf said.

He emphasised that the decision was motivated by the need to align Kano with the Federal Government, foster unity, and move away from decades of isolationist politics.

“We are choosing progress over personal desires. Our loyalty is to Kano first,” he added, urging former political allies, including Rabiu Kwankwaso, not to perceive the defection as personal but as a step towards state development and political stability.

The governor’s return was accompanied by 22 state lawmakers, eight members of the House of Representatives, and all 44 local government chairmen in Kano, signaling a massive political realignment in the state.

Kwankwaso’s son resigns

The defection also triggered the resignation of Mustapha Rabi’u Kwankwaso, Kano State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development and son of former governor and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, from the State Executive Council.

In a statement released on Monday, Mustapha Kwankwaso said the decision was taken “with a heavy heart,” expressing gratitude to Governor Yusuf for the opportunity to serve Kano State.

He also called for sustained attention to youth-focused programmes, expressing optimism that existing initiatives in sports development would continue to grow and benefit the state.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce my resignation as Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, and Member of the Kano State Executive Council. I want to express my deepest gratitude to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for the opportunity to serve the people of Kano State,” he said.

Barau welcomes Yusuf

Meanwhile, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, also welcomed Governor Yusuf to the APC, promising to collaborate with him for the development of Kano State.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Malam Ismail Mudashir, Barau said the governor’s return strengthened APC in northern Nigeria and reaffirmed loyalty to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“I welcome His Excellency, the governor of our beloved state, Kano, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, to our great party, the APC, the largest political party in Africa.

“I want to reassure the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Bola Tinubu, GCFR, of my unalloyed commitment to the ideals of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.

NNPP reacts

Meanwhile, the Deputy National Chairman of the NNPP, Prince Nweze Onu, condemned Yusuf’s defection, describing it as a betrayal of the electorate.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, Onu insisted that controlling all 36 state governorships would not guarantee Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, arguing that the political contest would extend beyond officeholders to ordinary Nigerians.

“Oh, yes. It will be a hugely contested election between President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians. Even if the APC controls all 36 state governorships, it would not prevent the party from suffering an embarrassing defeat at the polls in 2027,” Onu said.

Onu also defended the NNPP, describing it as united and grassroots-driven, dismissing Yusuf’s claims of internal crises as attempts to tarnish the party.

He called on party members to remain calm and steadfast, assuring that the NNPP would continue to prepare for the 2027 elections.

Yusuf’s defection is seen as a significant consolidation of APC influence in Kano State ahead of the 2027 general elections, strengthening the party’s northern base and aligning the state more closely with the Federal Government.

The move also reshapes the political landscape in Kano, with several elected officials switching allegiance to the ruling party alongside the governor.

Tinubu didn’t bait Yusuf

However, the APC dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu or the ruling party enticed opposition governors to defect, insisting that recent political shifts are voluntary decisions made by leaders seeking to align with the administration’s agenda.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, stated this on Monday while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

Asked whether the APC actively lured opposition governors, Morka firmly refuted the allegation.

“Nobody is baiting anyone. These eminent leaders in our country who are joining our party do so on their own volition. No one is baiting anyone. Look, Kano is one of Nigeria’s most important states. For a governor in Kano to decide to join our party, you can’t speak of bait. He made that decision voluntarily,” he said.

According to Morka, the defections reflect confidence in the Tinubu administration and the APC’s political direction rather than inducement.

“There’s something the governors who are joining our party are seeing. They want to identify with this president. They want to be part of the success story of Mr President and the promise of a resurgent Nigeria. That is what is going on. So I don’t think we should conclude by suggesting that anyone is being baited,” he added.

On the question of whether Yusuf automatically becomes the APC leader in Kano following his defection, Morka maintained the party’s state-level leadership principle, emphasising a collaborative approach:

“As a matter of principle, in our states, the governors are leaders of our party. We encourage a collegiate model of leadership. The governor may be the political head, but there are other critical and eminent leaders in all of our states, whose role and involvement in decision-making is critical to the success, not just of our party, but of the government where we hold office.”

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Twenty-two members of the Kano State House of Assembly have defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party to the All Progressives Congress.

The lawmakers announced their defection during a plenary session on Monday, shortly after Governor Abba Yusuf formally resigned from the NNPP following his recent visit to President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

In his resignation letter addressed to the chairman of the Diso–Chiranchi Ward in Gwale Local Government Area, Yusuf attributed his decision to what he described as “deepening internal crises” and “prolonged leadership disputes” within the party.

The governor’s defection was carried out alongside 22 state lawmakers, eight members of the House of Representatives, and all 44 local government chairmen in Kano State.

Among the defectors are the Speaker of the House, Jibril Falgore (Rogo), and the Deputy Speaker, Muhammad Bello Butu Butu (Tofa/Rimin Gado).

Also leaving the NNPP are the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussain (Dala); the Deputy Majority Leader, Garba Shehu Fammar (Kibiya); and the Chief Whip, Muddasir Ibrahim Zawachiki (Kumbotso).

A video of the event, shared on X by user @Imranmuhdz, captured the formal proceedings in the assembly chamber, where Speaker Falgore called each member to speak and publicly announce their defection.

Announcing his defection, Rep. Rabiu Shuaibu (Dawakin Kudu) said, “I, Shuaibu Rabiu, representing Dawakin Kudu, resign my membership of the NNPP to the APC with immediate effect from today (Monday).”

Another lawmaker, Tukur Mohammed (Fagge), said, “Mr Speaker, I am here to confirm I am resigning my membership of the NNPP and joining the APC.”

Other lawmakers who joined the APC include Zakariyya Abdullahi Nuhu (Gabasawa), Lawal Tini (Ajingi), Musa Tahir Haruna (Albasu), Ali Lawan Alhassan (Bagwai/Shanono), Ali Muhammad Tiga (Bebeji), and Hafiz Gambo (Bunkure).

The list also includes Murtala Muhammad Kadage (Garko), Abdulmajid Isah Umar (Gwale), Ahmad Ibrahim (Karaye), Alhassan Zakari (Kura/Garun Malam), Suleiman Mukhtar Ishaq (Madobi), Abdulhamid Abdul (Minjibir), Muhammad Ibrahim (Rano), Kabiru Sule Dahiru (Tarauni), and Ali Abdullahi Manager (Wudil).

Reacting to Governor Yusuf’s defection, the national leader of the NNPP, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had earlier described the development as a betrayal and declared January 23 as “World Betrayal Day”.

Kwankwaso played a key role in Yusuf’s emergence as Kano State governor in the 2023 election through the Kwankwasiyya political movement.