The presence of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, and Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, at private events hosted by opposition Senator Kawu Sumaila in Kano has sparked political tension and fueled speculation about a possible defection.
Senator Sumaila, who represents Kano South under the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), left the APC ahead of the 2023 general election following a prolonged leadership crisis. His recent closeness to key APC figures is raising concerns within the NNPP, particularly as political realignments begin ahead of the 2027 elections.
On Friday, Mr. Jibrin confirmed he led a delegation of federal lawmakers to attend the wedding ceremony of Mr. Sumaila’s children in Sumaila town, Kano State. In a statement, he acknowledged the presence of the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, at the event.
“Today, I led the Senate delegation to the wedding ceremony of Senator Sulaiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila’s and Alhaji Abdulmanaf Yunusa Sarina’s children in Sumaila town, Kano State,” Jibrin stated.
He also revealed that the wedding, which united Dr. Khadija Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila with Faisal Abdulmanaf Sarina, and Maryam Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila with Bello Ibrahim Ma’aji, was officiated by Professor Salisu Shehu, the Imam of Sumaila Jumaat Mosque.
“The National Chairman of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, CFR, also attended the wedding. May Allah bless their union and give them patience, endurance, tolerance, and love. Congratulations to the newlyweds,” Mr. Jibrin posted.
The next day, both Mr. Ganduje and Mr. Jibrin attended the first convocation ceremony of Al-Istiqama University, a private institution reportedly established by Mr. Sumaila in Sumaila Local Government Area.
Their appearance at these events has caused unease within the NNPP, with many party members raising concerns on social media. Speculation is rife that Mr. Sumaila may be preparing to return to the APC, especially given his history with the ruling party and recent disagreements with the NNPP-led Kano State Government.
Some members of the NNPP have questioned why Senator Sumaila openly welcomed opposition figures while sidelining key party leaders, including Governor Abba Yusuf and the party’s presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. Critics argue that Mr. Sumaila’s actions indicate a weakening loyalty to the NNPP’s cause.
Efforts to reach Mr. Sumaila for comment have been unsuccessful, as his known phone number was unreachable on Saturday evening.
Tensions between Mr. Sumaila and the NNPP leadership escalated following disagreements over the reinstatement of the deposed Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, and the repeal of the 2019 State Emirate Council Law. This law, introduced during Ganduje’s tenure as governor, had divided Kano into five emirates.
Mr. Sumaila and other lawmakers from Kano South opposed Governor Yusuf’s move to dissolve the four newly created emirates, arguing that the decision did not reflect the interests of their constituents. Since then, he and several of his colleagues have distanced themselves from the NNPP-led administration in Kano.
If Mr. Sumaila defects to the APC, he would join a growing number of opposition lawmakers who have crossed over to the ruling party, further strengthening the APC’s hold on power.
The NNPP, Nigeria’s fourth-largest political party by parliamentary representation, has its strongest foothold in Kano—the only state it controls. Despite winning the governorship and other key positions, the party remains vulnerable to internal rifts and potential defections.
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, finished fourth nationally and only secured a significant victory in Kano State. This reality raises concerns within the NNPP that further defections could weaken its influence ahead of future elections.
As speculation grows, political observers are watching closely to see whether Senator Sumaila’s interactions with APC leaders signal a major shift in Kano’s political landscape.