Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has further consolidated the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State with the defection of two prominent members of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP)/Kwankwasiyya Movement.
The decampees are Hon. Umar Bala Haruna, Special Assistant to the Kano State Governor in the Office of the Head of Service, and Hon. Muhammad Hussaini, the Organising Secretary of the NNPP in Bichi Ward, Bichi Local Government Area.
Haruna, who was appointed in September 2023, also announced his resignation as Special Assistant to the Governor, citing principles of integrity, accountability and respect for democratic values. In a resignation letter dated December 22, 2025, he formally communicated his decision to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf through the Secretary to the State Government.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Deputy President of the Senate, Malam Ismail Mudashir, said the two NNPP chieftains announced their defection during a recent courtesy visit to Senator Barau in Abuja.
According to the statement, the decampees expressed satisfaction with Senator Barau’s leadership style and people-oriented political movement, describing him as an icon and a beacon of hope for Kano State.
Welcoming them into the APC, Senator Barau said their decision reflected growing public confidence in the APC-led administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He added that the NNPP’s influence in Kano State was waning as support for the APC continued to expand.
Senator Barau, who also serves as the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, assured the new members of an inclusive political platform focused on restoring Kano’s development and good governance.
“You are welcome to the people’s party, the APC. You have joined at a time when our people are increasingly embracing our movement to restore the glorious days of Kano, where government works for all and not for a few individuals,” he said.
The defection is seen as another significant boost for the APC’s political fortunes in Kano State ahead of future electoral contests.
