NNPP, PDP suffer major blow as lawmakers’ political groups flock to APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has received a fresh wave of political reinforcements as lawmakers from opposition parties, including the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), announced their defections amid internal party strife.

During a recent plenary session, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, officially declared the switch of Kabiru Hassan Rurum and Abdullahi Sani from the NNPP to the APC.

Rurum represents the Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya Federal Constituency, while Sani serves the Karaye/Rogo Constituency—both in Kano State.

Their decision, according to statements, was driven by escalating disputes and leadership crises within the NNPP, which have splintered the party into factions.

Joining them in the mass defection is Oluwole Oke, a federal lawmaker from Osun State representing Oriade/Obokun Constituency, who left the PDP to align with the ruling party.

His defection had been hinted at earlier at the state level, but was confirmed at the national assembly.

Rurum had earlier met with APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, where he formally resigned from the NNPP and returned to the APC fold. Ganduje, who was present during the plenary, welcomed the defectors and praised their decision.

So far, 30 legislators have left their respective opposition parties, with 27 choosing to join the APC. The defections include former members of the Labour Party, ADC, PDP, and NNPP.

Just days earlier, Zubairu Hamza Masu, a Kano State lawmaker representing the Sumaila Constituency, also announced his resignation from the NNPP.

He cited unresolved leadership conflicts and multiple factions within the party as his primary reasons.

In his resignation letter, read aloud by Speaker Ismail Falgore, Masu referenced power struggles involving various figures both at the state and national levels.

He pledged full loyalty to the APC and expressed hope for more stable party leadership.

In a separate development, six groups affiliated with the Kwankwasiyya movement also dumped the NNPP for the APC.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin received them, marking another symbolic win for the ruling party in Kano.

The defecting groups include Ja’en-Ring Road Kwankwasiyya Elders, Principals Forum, Haske Kwankwasiyya, Millennium Youth Awareness Kwankwasiyya, Kano Sai Abinda Abba Ya Ce Youth Awareness, and the Kwankwasiyya Ko Ɗar-Ɗar group.

These mass defections underscore the shifting political tides ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the APC solidifying its dominance across both national and state assemblies.