In a major political shift within Kano State, no fewer than 774 members of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) have officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rimin Gado Local Government Area. The defection, which took place on Friday, marks one of the largest movements from the NNPP to the APC in recent months, signaling rising political realignments in the state.
The defectors were received by the Managing Director of the Hadejia–Jam’are River Basin Development Authority, Rabiu Bichi, who commended their decision and described it as a bold step toward aligning with a party he said has the capacity to reposition Nigeria for greater growth.
Bichi emphasized that the APC-led administration at the federal level has continued to demonstrate commitment to national development, especially in the northern region. According to him, numerous projects executed under President Bola Tinubu’s government stand as clear evidence of purposeful leadership and tangible results.
He highlighted that over 18 major projects, valued at several billions of naira, have been completed in Kano State alone under the current administration projects he believes have positively impacted the lives of residents across the region.
However, Bichi expressed concern over reports that some state governments across the country diverted substantial funds allocated to them for development into unrelated sectors. Such actions, he said, hinder progress and deny citizens the benefits intended by federal interventions.
Speaking on the achievements of the federal administration, Bichi noted that the Renewed Hope Agenda is already producing meaningful gains, particularly in the areas of economic recovery, agricultural development, and food security. He assured the defectors that they would be fully integrated into the APC and granted the same privileges as long-standing members of the party.
In his remarks, the leader of the defectors, Mohammad Karofin-Yashi, explained that the group’s decision to abandon the NNPP was influenced by the visible developmental strides of the APC government at both federal and state levels. He described the party’s achievements as convincing and progressive, aligning with the aspirations of Kano residents who desire sustainable growth and good governance.
Karofin-Yashi pledged that the new APC members would mobilize even more supporters from the NNPP and other political platforms in the coming weeks, affirming their commitment to strengthening the ruling party’s base ahead of future elections.
The mass defection is widely seen as a significant political win for the APC in Kano, a state known for its strategic importance in national elections. Observers say the move may have major implications for the political landscape as the nation gradually approaches the 2027 electoral cycle.
