Kano NNPP Senator Defects to APC

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Senator representing Kano South, Kawu Samaila, yesterday, defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the floor of the Senate.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Kawu’s letter of defection on the floor of the Senate.

After reading the letter, Senators on the platform of the APC happily welcomed Kawu into the APC.

They thereafter led him to his new seat on the aisle of the majority party, the APC.

Kawu, in his letter of defection, cited Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to justify his defection, stating that the NNPP has become severely divided and dysfunctional due to internal crises.

According to him, the party has been engulfed in a series of litigations that have fractured its structure and rendered it ineffective.

He listed multiple court cases, including NNPP vs Chief Boniface and 20 others, Chukwuneye Ogbodo & Others vs NNPP and INEC, and NNPP, Ahmed & Dr. Boniface, all of which he said stem from disputes over party leadership and unity.

He noted that these litigations had eroded the party’s internal cohesion and led to the emergence of conflicting factions, each claiming legitimacy and operating with different party logos

Kawu emphasised that the level of division within the NNPP met the constitutional threshold for defection.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, speaking under Order 41 (Personal Explanation), welcomed Senator Kawu’s defection, saying the move followed extensive consultations.

Akpabio also described the defection as necessary for national unity and political stability.

However, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro offered a contrasting view, noting that while lawmakers have the freedom to align with parties of their choice, many often defect on what he described as “nebulous” grounds to suit political convenience.

Nonetheless, he wished  Kawu well in his new party.