Kano Speaker, 21 Assembly Members Defect To APC

In a major political shift that has further weakened the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano State, the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Jibril Ismail Falgore, alongside 21 other members, has officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The mass defection, announced on Monday, January 26, 2026, comes just days after Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf resigned from the NNPP and is set to formally join the APC. The move is seen as a significant realignment in the state’s political landscape, effectively handing control of the House of Assembly to the APC.

The defecting lawmakers, who had earlier resigned from the NNPP, cited various reasons for their decision, including the need for greater development and alignment with the federal government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Their defection follows a series of resignations from the NNPP, including some federal lawmakers and local government officials.

The list of defecting members includes key leadership figures and representatives from various constituencies across the state:

1. Rt Hon Speaker, Jibril Ismail Falgore – Rogo
2. Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Muhammad Bello Butu Butu – Tofa/Rimin Gado
3. Majority Leader, Hon Lawan Hussain – Dala
4. Deputy Majority Leader, Hon Garba Shehu Fammar – Kibiya
5. Chief Whip, Hon Muddasir Ibrahim Zawachiki – Kumbotso
6. Majority Whip, Hon Zakariyya Abdullahi Nuhu – Gabasawa
7. Hon Lawal Tini – Ajingi
8. Hon Musa Tahir Haruna – Albasu
9. Hon Ali Lawan Alhassan – Bagwai/Shanono
10. Hon Ali Muhammad Tiga – Bebeji
11. Hon Hafiz Gambo – Bunkure
12. Hon Rabiu Shuaibu – Dawakin Kudu
13. Hon Tukur Mohammed – Fagge
14. Hon Murtala Muhammad Kadage – Garko
15. Hon Abdulmajid Isah Umar – Gwale
16. Hon Engr Ahmad Ibrahim – Karaye
17. Hon Alhassan Zakari – Kura/Garun Malam
18. Hon Suleiman Mukhtar Ishaq – Madobi
19. Hon Abdulhamid Abdul – Minjibir
20. Hon Muhammad Ibrahim – Rano
21. Hon Kabiru Sule Dahiru – Tarauni
22. Hon Ali Abdullahi Manager – Wudil

(Note: While initial reports listed 21 members excluding the Speaker in some counts, reliable sources confirm the Speaker’s inclusion, bringing the total to 22 defectors who have now joined the APC.)

This development follows Governor Yusuf’s resignation from the NNPP, which occurred shortly after his meeting with President Tinubu in Abuja. APC flags have reportedly been hoisted at the Kano State Government House, signaling the party’s takeover of key institutions in the state.

Political analysts view the defections as a major blow to the NNPP, which had gained significant ground in Kano under the influence of its national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The party now faces questions about its future relevance in the state it once dominated.

The Kano State House of Assembly, now under APC dominance, is expected to see changes in leadership structure and committee assignments in the coming days. The defections are part of a broader wave of movements from the NNPP to the APC in Kano, including hundreds of party members at the local level.

Efforts to get reactions from NNPP leadership were ongoing at the time of filing this report. The APC in Kano has welcomed the new members, describing the move as a step toward unity and accelerated development for the state.