By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
Senator Kawu Sumaila, representing Kano South Senatorial District, has formally announced his defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing internal crises within the NNPP as his reason for leaving.
The senator made the declaration on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, stating that the NNPP is plagued by unresolved litigations and leadership disputes, which have crippled the party’s ability to function effectively. He relied on Section 68(1)(g) of the Nigerian Constitution, which permits a legislator to defect without losing their seat if the party that sponsored their election is divided.
In addition to announcing his defection, Senator Sumaila also weighed in on the ongoing national debate surrounding the removal of fuel subsidy. He clarified that it was former President Muhammadu Buhari, not President Bola Tinubu, who removed the subsidy.
“The 2023 budget presented and passed under the Buhari administration made no provision for fuel subsidy beyond June,” Sumaila said. “President Tinubu only announced it; the decision had already been made by his predecessor.”
Senator Sumaila’s defection marks another shift in the political landscape of Kano State, as the APC continues to attract key figures from opposition parties.
