At least 22 members of the Kano State House of Assembly have exited the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in support of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Speaker’s spokesperson, Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai, said the Assembly members took the action to reaffirm their allegiance to the governor’s leadership.
According to the statement, the defections were designed to consolidate his political strength after his departure from the NNPP.
Among the defectors are the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Jibril Ismail Falgore (Rogo), Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Muhammad Bello Butu Butu (Tofa/Rimin Gado), Majority Leader, Hon. Lawan Hussain (Dala), Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Garba Shehu Fammar (Kibiya), Chief Whip, Hon. Muddasir Ibrahim Zawachiki (Kumbotso), and Majority Whip, Hon. Zakariyya Abdullahi Nuhu (Gabasawa).
Others include Hon. Lawal Tini (Ajingi), Hon. Musa Tahir Haruna (Albasu), Hon. Ali Lawan Alhassan (Bagwai/Shanono), Hon. Ali Muhammad Tiga (Bebeji), Hon. Hafiz Gambo (Bunkure), Hon. Rabiu Shuaibu (Dawakin Kudu), Hon. Tukur Mohammed (Fagge) and Hon. Murtala Muhammad Kadage (Garko).
The other lawmakers who left the party also include Hon. Abdulmajid Isah Umar (Gwale), Hon. Engr. Ahmad Ibrahim (Karaye), Hon. Alhassan Zakari (Kura/Garun Malam), Hon. Suleiman Mukhtar Ishaq (Madobi), Hon. Abdulhamid Abdul (Minjibir), Hon. Muhammad Ibrahim (Rano), Hon. Kabiru Sule Dahiru (Tarauni), and Hon. Ali Abdullahi Manager (Wudil).
The statement said the legislators had backed the governor’s decision to quit the NNPP and were waiting for further instructions on their next political step.
Although Governor Yusuf has not officially revealed his next political destination, there are signs that he is moving toward the All Progressives Congress (APC).
With this development, the 40-member assembly is projected to come under APC control.
