The Kano State chapter of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has reacted to the defection of Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as a relief to the party.
Kawu’s defection came less than 24 hours before the statement, following his announcement that he had joined the APC.
Speaking to journalists in Kano, NNPP State Chairman, Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, dismissed the significance of Kawu’s departure and described him as a disruptive figure.
“We are not surprised because it is something we have been expecting. As far as our party is concerned, we had already suspended him because he had no value to add. That is why he remains irrelevant,” Dungurawa said.
He further stated that the party would now enjoy internal calm following Kawu’s exit.
“The party will now have peace. He turned out to be a stubborn boy among the children of the party. So, having him out means the party can now focus on what it’s supposed to do, unlike when he was here disturbing the party,” he added.
When asked whether the defection could influence other high-profile members like former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, Dungurawa dismissed the suggestion.
“No, don’t bring someone else into this. I’m referring to Kawu alone. Nobody else has said they are leaving the party. The party has indeed suspended others like Rurum, but they have not defected. As of now, they remain in the party,” he said.
Senator Kawu, a former aide to President Muhammadu Buhari and a long-time political figure in Kano, said his move to the APC was based on the belief that it offered better prospects for governance and service.
His defection marks another development in the ongoing political realignments in Kano State ahead of the 2027 general elections.