Senator Kawu Sumaila, who represents the Kano South Senatorial District under the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made during Wednesday’s plenary session when Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Sumaila’s defection letter.
In the letter titled “Notification of defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC),” Sumaila stated that his departure from the NNPP was based on what he described as significant and undeniable internal issues that have left the party deeply divided and ineffective.
He wrote, “Pursuant to Section 68, Subsection 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, I write to the Senate President on behalf of the Senate. I write to formally notify the Senate through your esteemed office of my defection from the NNPP to the APC, the largest party in Africa.”
He further explained that the party had become engulfed in numerous legal disputes, which he said had damaged its internal cohesion and fractured its leadership. “Over the past months, I have observed a growing number of litigations that have practically torn the party apart and left its structure fractured. All of which clearly centred on issues of party disunity, functional leadership, and the legitimacy of its operations,” he wrote.
Sumaila added that the internal conflict had led to the emergence of different factions within the NNPP, each using separate party logos, which he said was evidence of the depth of the division. He said this reflected a public and visible splintering of the party’s identity both in appearance and essence.
In conclusion, Sumaila stated, “Therefore, in the spirit of democratic accountability and in line with my constitutional right, I have moved to APC, a national platform, an international platform, which I believe will better support my legislative responsibilities and aspirations of the good people of my senatorial district.”
What you should know
Senator Kawu Sumaila’s defection, driven by internal NNPP conflicts and legal battles, exposes the party’s vulnerabilities and strengthens the APC’s grip on Kano.
As a microcosm of Nigeria’s fluid political landscape, this shift could tilt Senate dynamics and reshape electoral prospects in a key state.
While Sumaila bets on the APC for constituency gains, the NNPP’s crisis demands urgent reform to avoid further hemorrhaging. Kano’s political chessboard, with Kwankwaso and Ganduje as rival kings, remains a battleground to watch.
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