KANO SENATOR DUMPS NNPP FOR APC, CITING DEEP PARTY CRISIS
In a political development that has shaken Kano State’s political landscape, Senator Kawu Sumaila, representing Kano South Senatorial District, officially announced his defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The declaration was formally read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday, marking yet another high-profile defection that highlights growing instability within the NNPP.
In his defection letter titled “Notification of defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC)”, Senator Sumaila cited irreconcilable internal divisions, endless litigations, and the emergence of multiple factions within the NNPP. According to him, the party had not only become dysfunctional but had also fractured structurally and ideologically, making it impossible for him to continue his political journey within its ranks.
He expressed dismay over the “growing number of litigations” that had splintered the NNPP’s leadership and legal structure. These court battles, he said, had given rise to conflicting authorities, undermining the party’s ability to operate as a unified political force. “There now exist multiple factions within the party, each parading its own leadership and even using distinct party logos,” Sumaila explained, warning that such division has jeopardized both the party’s identity and public credibility.
The senator further argued that the dysfunction within NNPP has not only limited its capacity to fulfill its political mandate but also eroded the confidence of the electorate. He emphasized that his decision to switch allegiance to the APC was not merely political convenience, but rather a step rooted in his commitment to effective legislative representation. “The APC remains a viable national and international platform, capable of helping me fulfill my obligations to the good people of Kano South,” he stated.
Sumaila’s defection is yet another blow to the NNPP, which has been battling internal rifts since the 2023 general elections, particularly around the leadership of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. Observers believe this move could trigger a wave of defections, especially from northern lawmakers disillusioned by the NNPP’s disarray and governance vacuum.
