Kano Assembly loses 21 lawmakers to APC as Gov. Yusuf prepares to join party

In a major political shift in Kano State, 21 members of the Kano State House of Assembly officially defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday.

The defection, announced by the lawmakers during a public event, comes shortly after about 774 NNPP members also defected to the APC in Rimin Gado Local Government Area of the state.

The wave of defections follows the resignation of Governor Abba Yusuf from the NNPP. The governor cited prolonged internal disputes and legal battles that he said have weakened the party’s unity and operational cohesion across the country.

Governor Yusuf is expected to officially join the APC later on Monday.

Among the lawmakers who switched allegiance were several principal officers of the Assembly, including: Speaker 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); Majority Whip Zakariyya Abdullahi Nuhu (Gabasawa).

Other lawmakers who defected 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); Murtala Muhammad Kadage (Garko); 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); Ali Abdullahi Manager (Wudil).

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The mass defection represents a major realignment in Kano’s political landscape, significantly weakening the NNPP’s influence in the state. The move is expected to strengthen the APC’s legislative and political dominance ahead of future elections.

Political analysts say the defection may also reshape political calculations within the state, especially as the governor’s official entry into the APC is expected to trigger further realignments among party leaders and grassroots supporters.

The NNPP has yet to issue an official response to the defection, while the APC has welcomed the lawmakers into its fold.