By Umar Idris Shuaibu
A former Kano State Governor and immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has described the defection of members of the House of Representatives from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the APC as a major boost for the ruling party.
Speaking after the development at the National Assembly in Abuja, Dr. Ganduje said the increasing number of defections into the APC reflects the party’s growing strength and national appeal.
“This is a plus to our great party, APC, as the number of House of Representatives members continues to increase on a daily basis. We have seen it before in Kano, where NNPP members cross-carpeted to APC. We already have a senator and some members of the House of Representatives, and today we have received another batch, nine members from NNPP to APC,” he said.
He described the move as a moment of celebration, expressing confidence in the party’s future electoral prospects.
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“As you can see, today is a day of celebration. We are optimistic that 2027 is assured for Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as for our governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, and all our members in the National and State Assemblies,” Ganduje added.
The former governor also commended the President for providing what he described as an enabling political environment that continues to attract members of other parties into the APC.
“We are very happy about this development, and we thank Mr President for creating an environment that encourages others to join APC. We assure them of full integration into the party. We are now one like a compound, not a mixture. Anyone familiar with Chemistry understands what a compound is,” he said.
On the party’s recent national convention, Dr. Ganduje explained that the adoption of consensus candidates helps to reduce internal friction.
“Consensus has two stages, that is consensus and affirmation. It is similar to an election because it reduces friction, unnecessary disagreements, and tendencies that could lead to anti-party activities,” he noted.
Meanwhile, at least eight members of the House of Representatives from Kano State formally announced their defection from the NNPP to the APC on the floor of the National Assembly.
The lawmakers who defected include:
- Hon. Tijjani Abdulkadir Jobe (Dawakin Tofa/Rimin Gado/Tofa)
- Hon. Garba Ibrahim Diso (Gwale)
- Hon. Hassan Shehu Hussain (Nassarawa)
- Hon. Idris Dankawu (Kumbotso)
- Hon. Muhammad Chiroma Nalaraba (Gezawa/Gabasawa)
- Hon. Barrister Rabi’u Yusuf (Takai/Sumaila)
- Hon. Dr. Ghali Mustapha Tijjani (Albasu/Gaya/Ajingi)
- Hon. Barrister Muhammad Bello Shehu (Fagge)
The defections were formally announced during plenary, where the lawmakers cited reasons for their decision to join the APC.
Reports indicate that prominent political figures attended the event, including Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and Dr. Ganduje, alongside other party leaders.