A member of the Kano State House of Assembly representing Gwale Constituency, Abdulmajid Mai Rigar Fata, has defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in a move that further highlights the growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The lawmaker, who represents Gwale Local Government Area — the political base of Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf — was formally received on Thursday in Abuja by former Kano State governor and prominent NDC leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The development was disclosed by Kwankwaso’s media aide, Saifullahi Hassan, in a statement shared via Facebook, where he confirmed that the lawmaker was welcomed into the party alongside other political figures from Kano State.
According to the statement, former Gwale Local Government Vice Chairman, Kabiru Sani Auwal Obi, and Mahadi Isa Umar also joined the NDC during the meeting held at Kwankwaso’s Maitama residence in Abuja.
Mai Rigar Fata’s defection marks another significant twist in Kano’s rapidly shifting political landscape. The lawmaker was initially elected into the Kano State House of Assembly in 2023 under the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) before later aligning with the APC alongside Governor Yusuf during the wave of political restructuring that followed the last election cycle.
However, political observers believe his latest move was influenced by internal party tensions and his reported inability to secure the APC ticket to return to the Assembly in the 2027 elections.
The defection comes at a politically sensitive period, shortly after a Federal High Court ruling nullified sections of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) guidelines relating to deadlines for party primaries and candidate substitutions ahead of the 2027 polls.
The judgment has since generated reactions across the political space, with opposition parties interpreting it as a major boost for politicians seeking alternative platforms.
Reacting to the ruling, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) argued that the decision could trigger a wave of defections from the ruling APC.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the court ruling as a validation of concerns earlier raised over what it called restrictive electoral timelines.
“The decision of the court on these issues, including those that directly contradict the Constitution, is therefore a welcome vindication of our position,” the statement read.
The party further alleged that some of the voided regulations were designed to discourage politicians from leaving the APC ahead of the elections.
“We believed at the time that that particular restriction was designed to prevent people from leaving the ruling party, APC. Now that the court has ruled against it, we are sure that, in the coming days, we will witness a mass exodus from the ruling party,” the statement added.
The latest developments underscore intensifying political manoeuvring ahead of 2027, especially in Kano State, which remains one of Nigeria’s most influential voting blocs.
Political analysts say the increasing movement of lawmakers and grassroots figures between opposition parties and the ruling APC reflects mounting uncertainty over alliances, candidate selection processes, and the broader battle for political control before the next general election.
With parties beginning consultations, screenings, and coalition talks nationwide, Kano is expected to remain a major battleground in the evolving contest for power.