APC chairman’s ex-aide joins NDC
May 25, 2026 7:53 pm
Mustapha Bala Dawaki and Rabiu Kwankwaso. Photo credit: Hussaini Ibrahim
A former member of the House of Representatives and erstwhile Chief of Staff to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, Mustapha Bala Dawaki, has defected from the ruling party to the Nigeria Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Dawaki was officially received on Monday by a leader of the NDC and founder of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, during a meeting held at Kwankwaso’s Miller Road residence in Kano.
PUNCH gathered that the former lawmaker was welcomed into the Kwankwasiyya fold with the symbolic red cap associated with the political movement.
The development comes barely one week after Dawaki reportedly lost his bid to secure the APC consensus ticket for the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency seat.
Confirming the defection on Monday in a statement, Kwankwaso’s media aide, Saifullahi Hassan, said the former APC stalwart had formally joined the NDC alongside his political supporters.
“Leader has today accepted the former Chief of Staff to the APC National Chairman, Mustapha Bala Dawaki, popularly known as Mai Gidan Ruwa, into the NDC Kwankwasiyya movement,” Hassan wrote in a Facebook post.
Political observers described the defection as another major shake-up within Kano politics, especially at a time opposition parties and ruling party blocs are intensifying consultations and consensus arrangements ahead of the 2027 elections.
Sources within the NDC told PUNCH that Dawaki’s entry into the party may further alter the political equation in Kano, where several aspirants are currently lobbying for party tickets.
Although details of any future political arrangement involving Dawaki were not officially disclosed, party insiders said consultations were ongoing regarding possible elective positions ahead of the polls.
A source close to the meeting said the former lawmaker pledged loyalty to the Kwankwasiyya movement and expressed readiness to work with the party leadership.
“He said the decision was taken after wide consultations with his political associates and supporters,” the source added.
During the symbolic reception, Kwankwaso was said to have urged party members to remain united and committed toward strengthening the opposition ahead of the general elections.
The former governor reportedly described inclusiveness and internal unity as critical to the party’s future success.
Dawaki represented Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives before serving as Chief of Staff to the APC National Chairman.
His defection is the latest in a series of political movements currently reshaping Kano’s political landscape ahead of 2027.
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