Kano State’s political landscape shifted as Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf witnessed the defection of eight federal lawmakers from the New Nigeria Peoples Party to the All Progressives Congress at the National Assembly in Abuja.

The lawmakers, all elected on the NNPP platform, announced their decision to cross over to the APC, citing deepening internal crises within their former party. According to a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Dawakin-Tofa, the defectors said persistent disagreements and factional struggles had made it difficult to continue under the NNPP banner.

The lawmakers who moved to the APC are Tijjani Abdulkadir Jobe, Garba Ibrahim Diso, Hassan Shehu Hussain, Idris Dankawu, Muhammad Chiroma Nalaraba, Rabiu Yusuf, Ghali Mustapha Tijjani and Muhammad Bello Shehu. Their defection strengthens the APC’s presence in the National Assembly and further weakens the NNPP, which has faced internal wrangling since emerging as a significant force in Kano politics.

The event was attended by former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, underscoring the importance the ruling party attached to the realignment. Their presence signalled the APC’s determination to consolidate its influence in Kano, a state that has become a key battleground in recent election cycles.

Governor Yusuf, whose party has now lost eight lawmakers at the federal level, described the development as part of the normal ebb and flow of democratic politics. He was quoted as saying that political realignments are not unusual in a vibrant democracy and should be seen as an expression of individual choice within the political space.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to delivering what he called the dividends of democracy to the people of Kano, stressing that governance must rise above partisan divides. Yusuf urged all elected representatives from the state, regardless of party affiliation, to prioritise unity and cooperation in the interest of development.

The governor emphasised that his focus remains on improving infrastructure, social services and economic opportunities for Kano residents, and called on politicians to avoid actions that could inflame tensions or distract from governance.