2023 Elections: Setback for Kwankwaso as NNPP State Chairman Dumps Party, Defects to APC

• Abdullahi Maikano Umar, the chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Gombe state, has defected to the APC
• The former NNPP leader reportedly announced his move to the APC after meeting with Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya on Thursday, February 2
• Umar's defection to the APC is expected to boost the party's chances in the northern state ahead of the 2023 general elections

Gombe - The chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Gombe state, Abdullahi Maikano Umar, has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2023 general election.

Umar announced his defection to the ruling party after a closed-door meeting with the Gomber state governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, on Thursday evening, February 2, according to a report filed by Nigerian Tribune.

Read also

Naira Scarcity: Details Emerge as Buhari Meets Emefiele, EFCC Chairman and Top PDP Governor

Legit.ng gathers that the NNPP chairman has not revealed any reason for taking such action a few weeks before the general poll.

Nevertheless, the defection is projected to give the APC an edge, especially with the way NNPP had recently gained ground in the northern state.

Note that the NNPP recently assumed the position of minority caucus of the Gombe state House of Assembly following a recent gale of defections into the party.

The NNPP is fielding Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso as its presidential candidate in the forthcoming polls.

Top NNPP chieftains defect to APC in Zamfara

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the presidential aspiration of Senator Kwankwaso suffered a setback as some top NNPP chieftains defected to the APC in Zamfara on Monday, December 26.

Read also

Trouble for Peter Obi as LP’s Deputy Gov Candidate, Senatorial Aspirants, Others Dump Party, Joins APC

A statement by the media aide to former Governor Abdulaziz Yari, Dahiru Mafara, indicates that one of the defectors is Ibrahim Shinkafi, the NNPP senatorial candidate for Zamfara North Senatorial District in the 2023 general elections.

The defectors also include the NNPP House of Representatives candidate for Shinkafi and Zurmi Federal Constituency, Suleiman Garba and the state treasurer of the party, Suleiman Galadi.

Auwal Isah: APM governorship candidate in Bauchi defects to PDP

In a related development, the governorship candidate of the Allied People Movement (APM) in Bauchi state, Auwal Isah, has withdrawn from the race and defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) just a few weeks before the 2023 general elections.

Isah said he defected alongside his supporters, adding that he collapsed the APM structure to join the PDP.

The former APM guber flagbearer announced his defection in Darazo and also declared support for the reelection bid of Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of the PDP.

Source: Legit.ng