Some political bigwigs and loyalists of the Vice-Presidential Candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, on Saturday defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State.
The defectors included a serving Senator representing Kano Central, Sen. Rufai Sani-Hanga and former Gov. Kabiru Ibrahim-Gaya.
Others were Ali Datti-Yako, former NDC State Deputy Chairman, a former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Isyaku Ali-Danja, NDC State Assembly aspirant, Kabiru Kofar-Ruwa and Sen. Baraka Sani.
Two former NNPP State Chairmrn, Sen. Mas’ud Eljibrin-Doguwa and Abdullahi Zubairu-Abiya, as well as Badaru Umar, former Chairman of Ungogo Local Government Council and Sen. Abdulmajid Dauda-Dandawaki, were also among the defectors.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the defectors were received during a formal inauguration of the Tinubu Support Groups (TSG) 2.0 State Chapters and a grand reception, which attracted a mammoth crowd.
NAN also reports that the former Kwankwaso’s supporters were received by the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nantawe Yilwatda, Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf, former Gov. Abdullahi Umar-Ganduje and the Senator representing Kano North, Sen. Barau Jibril.
In his remarks, the governor described the development as a significant addition to the APC family in Kano.
He said the decision of Sani-Hanga and his supporters reflected the growing confidence in the party and its leadership.
While welcoming the senator and other defectors to the party, Kabir-Yusuf assured them that APC would remain a broad platform where all members would have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the development of the state and Nigeria at large
He urged them to join hands with other APC stakeholders and work toward strengthening the unity, peace and stability within the party.
Speaking on behalf of defectors, Sani-Hanga expressed their commitment to APC and pledged to work with the governor and other party leaders toward achieving victory in the 2027 general elections.
Earlier, the APC Chairman in the state, Umar Doguwa, declared that the state is for the party, calling on members to come together to ensure victory for the party in the forthcoming elections.
In his remarks, Umar-Ganduje described the mammoth crowd that greeted the detection as a testament that the state is for APC.
He urged Nigerians to continue to support the policies and programmes of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
Umar-Ganduje, a former APC National Chairman, assured that the administration would continue to provide more dividend of democracy and implement policies and programmes that would move the country forward.
