The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Kano State has suffered another blow as Hon. Abbas Sani Abbas, a former Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ismail Mudashir, Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate on Media and Publicity, in a statement on Saturday, January 11, 2025, said Hon. Abbas announced his defection during a visit to the Kano residence of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, on Friday night.
The development adds to the wave of defections that has hit the NNPP in recent months, leaving the party in turmoil.
Dubbed the “Barau Tsunami,” the mass exodus from the NNPP has seen leaders from all 44 local government areas in Kano, along with thousands of their supporters, ditching their red caps—the emblem of the Kwankwasiyya movement—and embracing the APC.
The defection frenzy comes amidst calls by some NNPP leaders for Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to assert firmer control over the state’s governance.
The governor recently sacked several officials, including Secretary to the State Government Dr. Abdullahi Bichi and five commissioners, one of whom was Hon. Abbas Sani Abbas.
Speaking at Senator Barau’s residence, Hon. Abbas pledged his allegiance to the APC, vowing to work for the party’s success across Kano State and beyond.
Senator Barau, who is also the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, welcomed Hon. Abbas into the APC fold.
He assured the former commissioner of the party’s dedication to good governance, inclusivity, and service to humanity, highlighting the APC’s capacity to accommodate individuals committed to building a better future for Kano State and Nigeria.
The defection ceremony was also attended by the APC Chairman in Kano State, Prince Abdullahi Abbas (Ɗan Sarki, Jikan Sarki), and other party leaders.
As the NNPP grapples with these significant losses, the APC continues to consolidate its position in Kano, further shifting the political dynamics in the state.
