The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, officially welcomed a group of decampees from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) into the APC fold on Thursday.
The decampees were led by Kano South Senator, Kawu Sumaila, who had earlier confirmed his departure from the NNPP on Wednesday.
“Yes, it is true — the rumors regarding my defection are accurate. All politics is local, and my primary concern has always been, and remains, the welfare of my immediate constituency. I am resolutely determined to advance the lives of my people, ensuring their needs are met and their future is secured,” Kawu wrote on his Facebook page.
Barely a day after his announcement, Sumaila and other NNPP members were formally received by Ganduje in a gathering that underscored the APC’s confidence heading into the next general election.
“I don’t want to reveal our secret, but what I’m telling you is that APC 2027 is a done deal,” the former Kano governor said.
See more photos from their reception below:
What you should know
Kawu Sumaila, a seasoned Kano politician and senator representing Kano South, has officially left the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing dedication to his constituency’s well-being as his primary motivation.
His defection, along with others, signals a political realignment in Kano State, a region seen as a battleground between the ruling APC and other major political forces.
Sumaila is a former adviser to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari and was once a House of Representatives member, making him a notable figure in Northern politics.
His return to the APC could potentially strengthen the party’s grassroots support in Kano.
Meanwhile, Ganduje, who also hails from Kano and now serves as APC’s National Chairman, has seized on the momentum, suggesting that the party is already positioned to win the 2027 elections.
This defection could be an early sign of shifting alliances ahead of the next general election, especially in Northern Nigeria, where local loyalties and influential political figures significantly shape electoral outcomes.
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