Former Kano Commissioner Abbas Abbas Defects from NNPP to APC

Abbas Abbas, the former Kano State Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, has defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This move follows his dismissal by Governor Abba Yusuf in December 2024 during a cabinet reshuffle.

Abbas announced his defection during a visit to the residence of Senate Deputy President Barau Jibrin in Kano on Friday night. He was accompanied by APC Kano State Chairman Abdullahi Abbas and other party leaders. During the meeting, Abbas pledged to work towards the success of the APC across Kano State and beyond.

In a statement on Saturday, Ismail Mudashir, the Special Adviser to the Senate Deputy President, Barau Jibrin, on Media and Publicity, said Abbas’ defection to the APC was announced during a visit to the lawmaker’s house in Kano on Friday night.

Senate Deputy President Jibrin welcomed Abbas, describing him as a dedicated grassroots mobilizer. He assured Abbas of the APC’s commitment to building a better future for the people of Kano State and Nigeria. Jibrin emphasized that the APC is inclusive and continues to promote the values of good governance and service to humanity.

It added, “The Deputy President of the Senate assured Hon Abbas, a dedicated grassroots mobiliser, of the APC’s unwavering commitment to building a better future for the people of Kano State and all Nigerians.

“While stressing that APC is big enough to accommodate all lovers of the country, he said they will continue to promote the values of good governance, inclusivity, and service to humanity.”

This defection is part of a broader trend in Kano State’s political landscape. In April 2024, over 1,000 APC members from Shanono and Bagwai local government areas defected to the NNPP, expressing support for Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. They cited the governor’s leadership qualities and governance style as their reasons for switching allegiance.

Conversely, in December 2024, the APC received 12,000 NNPP members from Dawakin Kudu/Warawa constituency. Led by legislator Sulaiman Dalib Yargaya, the defectors expressed a desire to avoid the abuse of democratic tenets they perceived in the NNPP. APC Kano State Chairman Abdullahi Abbas called for unity among party members to ensure future electoral victories, Punch reports.