A major political realignment unfolded in Kano on Monday as a large bloc of state lawmakers severed ties with the New Nigeria Peoples Party and pitched their tent with the All Progressives Congress, reshaping the balance of power in the House.
No fewer than 21 members of the Kano State House of Assembly formally announced their exit from the NNPP, describing the move as a collective decision driven by what they termed the need for political stability and clearer direction.
Moreover, the development followed a wave of grassroots defections over the weekend, when hundreds of NNPP supporters in Rimin Gado Local Government Area reportedly crossed over to the APC, signalling deepening cracks within the opposition party.
Political observers link the defections to the ongoing turmoil within the NNPP, which has been marked by internal rifts and prolonged legal battles.
These disputes, party insiders admit, have weakened coordination and undermined confidence among elected officials nationwide.
Reacting to the shift, one of the defecting lawmakers said the decision was taken after “extensive consultations and a careful assessment of where the future of Kano politics is headed.”
He added that the APC offered “a more cohesive platform capable of delivering governance without distractions.”
Furthermore, the lawmakers’ action comes amid growing anticipation of Governor Abba Yusuf’s expected move to the APC.
The governor had earlier blamed persistent internal crises within the NNPP for his decision to part ways with the party, arguing that the conflicts had stalled progress and unity.
Within the Assembly, the defections cut across the leadership structure, including the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Majority Leader, and key principal officers, a development that effectively hands the APC a dominant presence in the legislature.
Another lawmaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the exodus was inevitable.
“When a party loses internal harmony, lawmakers begin to look for a platform where their mandates can be protected and their constituents better served,” he said.
Hence, the latest realignment is expected to have immediate implications for legislative proceedings in Kano, while also strengthening the APC’s foothold in the state ahead of future political contests.