21 Kano lawmakers defect from NNPP to APC

The political landscape in Kano State continues to shift as no fewer than 21 members of the State House of Assembly have officially defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmakers announced their defection on Monday, marking a significant realignment within the state legislature.

The resignation came days after Yusuf’s meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

In a letter addressed to the chairman of Diso-Chiranchi ward in Gwale LGA of Kano, the governor cited “deepening internal crises” and “prolonged leadership disputes” as key reasons for his exit.

Yusuf resigned alongside the 21 members of the Kano state assembly, 8 members of the house of representatives, and all 44 LGA chairmen in the state.

Those who defected in the house of assembly include Jibril Ismail Falgore, speaker representing Rogo, and Muhammad Bello Butu Butu, deputy speaker representing Tofa/Rimin Gado.

Others are Lawan Hussain, majority leader representing Dala, Garba Shehu Fammar, deputy majority leader representing Kibiya, and Muddasir Ibrahim Zawachiki, chief whip representing Kumbotso.

Also on the list are Zakariyya Abdullahi Nuhu, majority whip representing Gabasawa, Lawal Tini representing Ajingi, and Musa Tahir Haruna representing Albasu.

Ali Lawan Alhassan of Bagwai/Shanono, Ali Muhammad Tiga of Bebeji, Hafiz Gambo of Bunkure, and Rabiu Shuaibu of Dawakin Kudu also defected.

Others include Tukur Mohammed of Fagge, Murtala Muhammad Kadage of Garko, and Abdulmajid Isah Umar of Gwale.

Engr. Ahmad Ibrahim of Karaye, Alhassan Zakari of Kura/Garun Malam, and Suleiman Mukhtar Ishaq of Madobi also joined the APC.

Abdulhamid Abdul of Minjibir, Muhammad Ibrahim of Rano, Kabiru Sule Dahiru of Tarauni, and Ali Abdullahi Manager of Wudil completed the list.

In reaction to Yusuf’s defection, Rabiu Kwankwaso, national leader of the NNPP, declared January 23 as “World Betrayal Day”.

Kwankwaso played a prominent role in Yusuf’s emergence as governor of Kano in 2023 through his Kwankwasiyya movement.