The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano State has dismissed the planned defection of some of its chieftains to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The party described the group, which is loyal to Gawuna, as politicians who do not possess sufficient electoral influence to impact the party’s fortunes or overall standing in the state.
The statement from the NDC follows a solidarity visit by a group of loyalists to a former Kano State Deputy Governor. This visit had sparked reports that several high-ranking members were preparing to exit the party in favour of the APC.
The NDC leadership maintained that the party remains stable and that the exit of a few individuals would not create a vacuum or weaken its structure. According to the party, the claims of a mass exodus are exaggerated and designed to create a false impression of instability within the Kano state chapter.
Kano State Political Realignment
Defections have become a common feature of the political landscape in Kano State, where party loyalty often shifts based on strategic alliances and the influence of regional power brokers. The state is currently a primary battleground for the APC and other opposition forces, making the movement of chieftains a closely watched event.
The APC has frequently served as a destination for politicians seeking alignment with the ruling party at the federal level. In Kano, this trend often involves groups shifting loyalties to secure better positioning for future election cycles or to align with dominant local political structures.
The dismissal of Gawuna’s allies suggests a strategy by the NDC to project strength and diminish the perceived importance of the departing members. By framing the defectors as lacking electoral weight, the party aims to signal to its remaining base and the wider electorate that its core strength remains intact.
While the NDC has publicly downplayed the move, the actual impact will depend on whether the departing chieftains can translate their loyalties into votes or provide the APC with new strategic footholds in specific local government areas.
The APC has not yet issued an official response regarding the reception of the planned defectors or the claims made by the NDC leadership.
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