Twenty-one members of the Kano State House of Assembly have formally defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), further reshaping the political landscape in the state.
The lawmakers announced their defection on Monday, coming in the wake of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s resignation from the NNPP over what he described as prolonged internal crises and unresolved legal disputes within the party.
The development follows reports that about 774 NNPP members recently defected to the APC in Rimin Gado Local Government Area, signalling a widening wave of political realignment.
Governor Yusuf is expected to officially register with the APC later on Monday.
Among those who defected are the Speaker of the House, Jibril Ismail Falgore (Rogo); Deputy Speaker, Muhammad Bello Butu Butu (Tofa/Rimin Gado); Majority Leader, Lawan Hussain (Dala); Deputy Majority Leader, Garba Shehu Fammar (Kibiya); Chief Whip, Muddasir Ibrahim Zawachiki (Kumbotso); and Majority Whip, Zakariyya Abdullahi Nuhu (Gabasawa).
Other lawmakers who announced their defection include Lawal Tini (Ajingi); Musa Tahir Haruna (Albasu); Ali Lawan Alhassan (Bagwai/Shanono); Ali Muhammad Tiga (Bebeji); Hafiz Gambo (Bunkure); Rabiu Shuaibu (Dawakin Kudu); Tukur Mohammed (Fagge); and Murtala Muhammad Kadage (Garko).
Also on the list are Abdulmajid Isah Umar (Gwale); Engr. 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).
Meanwhile, opposition parties and figures have accused the APC and President Bola Tinubu of using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intimidate governors and politicians defecting to the ruling party. The APC has repeatedly denied the allegations, insisting that all defections are voluntary.
The mass movement of lawmakers has intensified debate over whether the APC can successfully challenge Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s political dominance in Kano State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
