National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, welcomed thousands of defectors from Kano State’s New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on April 23, 2025, proclaiming the 2027 elections a “done deal” for APC.
The mass defection, held at Kano’s Government House, included NNPP chieftains and 12 local government chairmen, bolstering APC’s grip in a state it narrowly lost in 2023. Ganduje, a former Kano governor, hailed the move as a rejection of “misrule” by Governor Abba Yusuf.
The event, attended by APC governors and senators, saw defectors cite infrastructure neglect and unpaid salaries. Kano, with 8.5 million registered voters, per INEC, is pivotal for 2027, where President Tinubu seeks re-election.
Ganduje’s strategy, leveraging Kano’s 44 local governments, aims to counter NNPP’s 2023 upset, driven by Rabiu Kwankwaso’s influence. APC’s 2024 membership drive added 1.2 million members, amid Nigeria’s 26% inflation, per the IMF.
Critics, including PDP’s Kano chapter, dismissed the defections as “staged,” alleging coercion, per Punch. The defections align with Tinubu’s security reforms, but face skepticism as 46% of Nigerians distrust parties