No fewer than 22 members of the Kano State House of Assembly have defected from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in solidarity with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, following his decision to exit the party.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Speaker’s spokesperson, Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai, who said the lawmakers took the step to reaffirm their loyalty to the governor and strengthen his political base.
According to the statement, the mass defection was aimed at backing Yusuf’s administration amid ongoing political realignments in the state.
Among the defectors are the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Jibril Ismail Falgore (Rogo); Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Muhammad Bello Butu Butu (Tofa/Rimin Gado); Majority Leader, Hon. Lawan Hussain (Dala); Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Garba Shehu Fammar (Kibiya); Chief Whip, Hon. Muddasir Ibrahim Zawachiki (Kumbotso); and Majority Whip, Hon. Zakariyya Abdullahi Nuhu (Gabasawa).
Other lawmakers who dumped the NNPP include Hon. Lawal Tini (Ajingi), Hon. Musa Tahir Haruna (Albasu), Hon. Ali Lawan Alhassan (Bagwai/Shanono), Hon. Ali Muhammad Tiga (Bebeji), Hon. Hafiz Gambo (Bunkure), Hon. Rabiu Shuaibu (Dawakin Kudu), Hon. Tukur Mohammed (Fagge) and Hon. Murtala Muhammad Kadage (Garko).
Also on the list are Hon. Abdulmajid Isah Umar (Gwale), Hon. Engr. Ahmad Ibrahim (Karaye), Hon. Alhassan Zakari (Kura/Garun Malam), Hon. Suleiman Mukhtar Ishaq (Madobi), Hon. Abdulhamid Abdul (Minjibir), Hon. Muhammad Ibrahim (Rano), Hon. Kabiru Sule Dahiru (Tarauni) and Hon. Ali Abdullahi Manager (Wudil).
The statement said the lawmakers had endorsed Governor Yusuf’s decision to leave the NNPP and were awaiting further directives regarding their next political move.
Although the governor has yet to officially announce his new political platform, strong indications suggest he may be heading to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
With the defection of 22 lawmakers, the 40-member Kano State House of Assembly is expected to tilt in favour of the APC.
