Former associate of APC chairman defects to NDC

Mustapha Bala Dawaki, a former House of Representatives member and ex-Chief of Staff to the All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, has switched allegiance to the Nigeria Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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Dawaki's formal reception into the NDC was overseen by Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a leader of the party and founder of the Kwankwasiyya movement, at his Miller Road residence in Kano on Monday.

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The former lawmaker was inducted into the Kwankwasiyya fold with the presentation of the movement's signature red cap, a symbolic gesture of his newfound affiliation.

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This development comes on the heels of Dawaki's failed bid to secure the APC consensus ticket for the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency seat, which took place barely a week prior.

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Kwankwaso's media aide, Saifullahi Hassan, confirmed Dawaki's defection on Monday, stating that the former APC stalwart had joined the NDC along with his supporters.

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Hassan took to Facebook to announce the news, writing that Kwankwaso had accepted Dawaki, also known as Mai Gidan Ruwa, into the NDC Kwankwasiyya movement.

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Political observers view Dawaki's defection as a significant upheaval within Kano's political landscape, particularly as opposition parties and ruling party factions intensify their consultations and consensus-building efforts ahead of the 2027 elections.

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Insiders within the NDC believe that Dawaki's entry into the party may further alter the political dynamics in Kano, where numerous aspirants are currently vying for party tickets.

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Although the specifics of any future political arrangements involving Dawaki remain undisclosed, party insiders reveal that ongoing consultations may lead to his consideration for elective positions in the upcoming polls.

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A source close to the meeting disclosed that Dawaki pledged his loyalty to the Kwankwasiyya movement and expressed his willingness to work with the party leadership, having made the decision after extensive consultations with his associates and supporters.

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Kwankwaso, during the reception, urged party members to maintain unity and commitment to strengthening the opposition in the run-up to the general elections, emphasizing the importance of inclusiveness and internal unity to the party's future success.

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Dawaki previously represented the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives before serving as Chief of Staff to the APC National Chairman, and his defection marks the latest in a series of political shifts reshaping Kano's political landscape ahead of 2027.