A former member of the House of Representatives and former Chief of Staff to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mustapha Bala Dawaki, has defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Dawaki was formally received into the party on Monday by NDC leader and founder of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, during a meeting held at Kwankwaso’s Miller Road residence in Kano.
The former lawmaker was welcomed into the Kwankwasiyya movement with the symbolic red cap associated with the political group.
The defection comes days after Dawaki reportedly failed to secure the APC consensus ticket for the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency.
Confirming the development, Kwankwaso’s media aide, Saifullahi Hassan, said Dawaki joined the NDC alongside his 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 said in a statement.
Political analyst described the move as another significant development in Kano politics as parties intensify consultations and alliance-building ahead of the 2027 elections.
Sources within the NDC said Dawaki’s entry into the party could influence the political balance in Kano, where aspirants are already positioning for party tickets.
Although no official details were provided regarding Dawaki’s future political plans, party insiders said consultations were ongoing over possible elective positions.
A source close to the meeting disclosed that the former lawmaker pledged loyalty to the Kwankwasiyya movement and expressed readiness to work with the party leadership.
According to the source, Dawaki said the decision to leave the APC followed consultations with his political associates and supporters.
Kwankwaso was also said to have urged party members to remain united and focused on strengthening the opposition ahead of the next general elections, stressing that inclusiveness and internal cohesion were vital to the party’s 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 realignments reshaping Kano’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 polls.
