The All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally received a large group of politicians and their supporters into the party at an event in Kano on Saturday, September 5, 2026, according to a report by Legit.ng. The event, led by APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, is part of the party's consolidation efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.
High-Profile Defectors From NNPP, PDP, and NDC
Among those welcomed were three serving or former senators: Rufa'i Sani Hanga, Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya, and Baraka Sani, each arriving with their respective supporters. The defections cut across several opposition parties, signalling a broad political realignment in Kano State.
From the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Mas'ud Eljibrin Doguwa, chairman of the NNPP Fruit Faction, and Abdullahi Zubairu Abiya, chairman of the NNPP Book Faction, were received. Senator Abdulmajid Dauda Dandawaki, a former NNPP senatorial aspirant, also joined with his supporters.
Former Speaker, PDP Deputy Governorship Candidate Cross Carpet
Isyaku Ali Danja, a former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, also joined the APC alongside his supporters. From the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Yusuf Bello Danbatta, a former deputy governorship candidate, was formally received into the party.
The event also saw defections from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). Ali Datti Yako, the NDC State Deputy Chairman, crossed to the APC with other NDC executives, and Kabiru Adamu Kofar Ruwa, a former NDC House of Assembly aspirant, was also received with his supporters.
Gawuna Camp Members, Former LGA Chairman Join APC
Badaru Umar, a former chairman of Ungogo Local Government Area, brought members of the ex-gubernatorial hopeful Nasir Gawuna camp into the party as well. The formal reception of all defectors was conducted by Prof. Yilwatda at the Kano event.
The full list of those received includes Senator Rufa’i Sani Hanga, Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya, Senator Mas’ud Eljibrin Doguwa, Ali Datti Yako, Badaru Umar, Isyaku Ali Danja, Yusuf Bello Danbatta, Senator Baraka Sani (former special adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu), Abdullahi Zubairu Abiya, Abdulmajid Dauda Dandawaki, and Kabiru Adamu Kofar Ruwa.
The APC continues to consolidate support in Kano State as the 2027 elections approach. In a related development, Legit.ng earlier reported that ex-Kano Governor Ibrahim Shekarau lost his brother, Dahiru, a retired permanent secretary, whose passing was confirmed by family sources.
