Ganduje, Kano NNPP Lawmakers Meet Ahead Of Defection To APC

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has held a closed-door meeting with key New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) lawmakers from Kano State, amid growing speculation of an imminent defection to the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Among the attendees were:

• Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, representing Kano South in the Senate

• Rt. Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, member representing Rano/Kibiya/Bunkure federal constituency

• Hon. Aliyu Sani Madaki, representing Dala federal constituency

• Hon. Badamasi Ayuba, a former federal lawmaker

The meeting was confirmed by Aminu Dahiru, Senior Special Assistant to the APC National Chairman on Visual Communication and Events, via a Facebook post on Tuesday evening. Dahiru said the gathering was part of the groundwork for the politicians’ planned defection from the NNPP to the APC.

“It is public knowledge that in recent times, these prominent politicians have openly expressed their dissatisfaction with the leadership style and perceived injustice from the NNPP’s national leader, Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso,” Dahiru stated.

Implications for Kano Politics

Kano State, a key battleground in Nigerian politics, witnessed a political shift in 2023 when the NNPP—riding on the influence of the Kwankwasiyya Movement—secured major victories. However, internal divisions have continued to emerge, with top members accusing the party leadership of marginalisation and autocratic control.

Political analysts suggest that if the defections are formalised, the APC could regain significant influence in the state, potentially altering the trajectory of both state and national politics as 2027 approaches.

As of the time of this report, the NNPP had not issued any official response.