Former Commissioner for Rural and Community Development in Kano State, Abbas Sani Abbas, has defected from the New Nigeria People’s Party to the All Progressives Congress, further diminishing the strength of the NNPP in the state.
Abbas announced his defection during a visit to the Kano residence of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, on Friday night. His move adds to the wave of defections from the NNPP in recent months, with thousands of supporters across Kano State shifting allegiance to the APC.
The trend, dubbed the “Barau Tsunami,” has seen numerous leaders of the NNPP across the state’s 44 local government areas abandon the party and the Kwankwasiyya movement. Symbolically, many defectors have discarded their red caps, a hallmark of the Kwankwasiyya movement, in favour of joining the APC.
Over the past six months, this mass exodus has included hundreds of NNPP leaders and their supporters. The defections come amid criticism of Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf’s leadership, with some NNPP leaders urging him to take firmer control of governance.
This discontent also led to the dismissal of key figures, including the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Bichi, and five commissioners last month. Abbas was among those sacked, a decision he referenced while pledging his loyalty to the APC.
During his visit to Senator Barau, Abbas vowed to work diligently to ensure the APC’s success in Kano State and beyond. His dedication as a grassroots mobiliser is expected to bolster the APC’s growing influence in the region.
Senator Barau Jibrin, who also serves as the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, welcomed Abbas alongside Kano State APC Chairman Prince Abdullahi Abbas (Ɗan Sarki, Jikan Sarki) and other party leaders.
Barau expressed confidence in Abbas’ ability to contribute meaningfully to the party’s mission, assuring him of the APC’s commitment to inclusivity, good governance, and service to humanity.
“APC is big enough to accommodate all lovers of the country,” Barau stated. “We will continue to promote the values of good governance, inclusivity, and service to humanity to build a better future for Kano State and all Nigerians.”
The defection of Abbas is yet another signal of the shifting political landscape in Kano, as the APC consolidates its position in the state ahead of future elections.
