Nine Kano Reps dump NNPP for APC as 27 lawmakers defect

A wave of mass defection hit the House of Representatives on Tuesday as 27 lawmakers crossed party lines, in a fresh political realignments affecting major parties in the chamber.

Of the 27 members, nine lawmakers elected on the platform of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Those who moved from the NNPP to the APC include Ghali Tijjani Mustapha, who represents Ajingi/Albasu/Gaya Federal Constituency of Kano State; Shehu Bello of Fagge Federal Constituency; and Dankawu Idris, representing Kumbotso Federal Constituency, all in Kano State.

Others are Hussain Hassan Shehu of Nassarawa Federal Constituency; Rabiu Yusuf of Sumaila/Takai Federal Constituency; Garba Mohammed Chiroma of Gezawa/Gabasawa Federal Constituency; Ibrahim Mohammed of Gwale Federal Constituency; Tijjani Abdulkadir Jobe of Tofa, Dawakin-Tofa and Rimingado Federal Constituency; and Aliu Madaki, Deputy Minority Leader, representing Dala Federal Constituency, all from Kano State.
Beyond the NNPP bloc, defections also spread across other parties.

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Eight lawmakers joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including George Ozodinobi, Deputy Minority Whip representing Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia Federal Constituency of Anambra State, who moved from the Labour Party.
Also defecting to the ADC are Harris Okonkwo of Idemili North/Idemili South Federal Constituency in Anambra State (from the Labour Party); Yaya Bauchi Tongo of Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency (from the PDP); and Seyi Sowunmi of Ojo Federal Constituency in Lagos State (from the Labour Party).

Others include Mustapha Abdullahi of Ikara/Kubau Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, who moved from the APC; Mani Maishinko Katami of Binni/Silame Federal Constituency in Sokoto State (from the PDP); Abdussamad Dasuki of Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency in Sokoto State (from the PDP); and Umar Yusuf Yabo of Yabo/Shagari Federal Constituency in Sokoto State (from the PDP).

In other developments, Philip Agbese, representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in Benue State, defected from the APC to the Labour Party.

Akanni Clement Ademola of Boluwaduro/Ifedayo/Ila Federal Constituency in Osun State moved from the PDP to the Accord Party, while Ugochinyere Michael Ikeagwuonu of Ideato Federal Constituency in Imo State left the PDP for the Action Peoples Party (APP). Nwogu Mathew of Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency in Imo State also defected from the Labour Party to the APP.

Further defections to the APC include Mohammed Bassi of Mayo Belwa/Ganye/Jada/Toungo Federal Constituency in Adamawa State; Jaafaru Yakubu of Bali/Gassol Federal Constituency in Taraba State; Sadiq Abbas Tafida of Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency in Taraba State; Ibrahim Mohammed of Birnin-Kebbi/Kalgo/Bunza Federal Constituency in Kebbi State; and Bello Shinkafi, representing Shinkafi/Zurmi Federal Constituency in Zamfara State, all formerly of the PDP.

All Lawmakers in separate letters read on the floor of the House during plenary attributed their defections to ongoing crisis and divisions in their former parties .