Akpabio announces Kawu Sumaila’s defection from NNPP to APC

Kawu Sumaila, senator representing Kano south, has officially defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the defection during Wednesday’s plenary after reading a letter submitted by Sumaila.

In the letter, the lawmaker said his decision to leave the NNPP was “anchored on compelling and undeniable developments within the party”.

Sumaila, who previously served as senior special assistant to former president Muhammadu Buhari on national assembly matters, described the NNPP as “severely divided and dysfunctional”.

“Over the past months, litigations have torn the party apart and left its structures fractured,” the letter reads.

“These legal battles have not only eroded internal cohesion, but have created parallel authorities within the party.

“A further manifestation of this is the existence of multiple factions, each with its own distinct leadership.”

In May 2022, Sumaila, who is a former member of the house of representatives, dumped the APC for the NNPP.

However, in a Facebook post on April 23, he announced his return to the ruling party.

“Yes, it is true — the rumours regarding my defection are accurate,” he wrote.

“All politics is local, and my primary concern has always been, and remains, the welfare of my immediate constituency.”