Kano Lawmaker Dumps APC for NDC as Defection Wave Looms Ahead of Elections

A member of the Kano State House of Assembly representing Gwale Constituency, Abdulmajid Mai Rigar Fata, has officially defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in a move that may deepen political realignments ahead of the next elections.

The lawmaker was formally received in Abuja on Thursday by former Kano State governor and NDC leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, at his Maitama residence.

The announcement was made by Kwankwaso’s media aide, Saifullahi Hassan, who disclosed the development in a Facebook post.

According to Hassan, the lawmaker joined the NDC alongside former Gwale Local Government Vice Chairman, Kabiru Sani Auwal Obi, and Mahadi Isa Umar.

Mai Rigar Fata, who represents Gwale Local Government Area — the hometown of Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf — was initially elected into the Assembly in 2023 on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party before later aligning with the APC.

Reports indicate that his latest defection followed his inability to secure the APC ticket for another term in the Assembly.

The political development comes amid growing uncertainty within the ruling party following a Federal High Court judgment delivered on Thursday, which reportedly eased restrictions on politicians seeking to defect to alternative political platforms ahead of elections.

Reacting to the ruling, African Democratic Congress spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the judgment as a major boost for freedom of association and predicted a fresh wave of defections from the APC.

According to the ADC, the court’s decision could encourage politicians dissatisfied within the ruling party to seek alternative platforms without legal obstacles.