More than 1,000 members of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) and the Kwankwasiyya Movement in Kano State have officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging allegiance to Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The mass defection, which took place on Sunday at the Fine Time Events Centre in Kano metropolis, saw jubilant scenes as the defectors symbolically discarded their red caps—the iconic symbol of the Kwankwasiyya Movement signifying a complete break from their former political identity.
Speaking at the event, the group’s leader, Aminu Murtala Minjibir, announced that they had renamed themselves Barau Maliya One Blood, reflecting their new political alignment and admiration for Senator Barau’s leadership.
He explained that their decision was driven by the visible interventions and development initiatives championed by President Tinubu’s administration and Senator Barau’s constituency projects across Kano and beyond.
“We are more than 1,000 in this hall, and we have members across all the 44 LGAs of Kano State. Today is a historic day in our lives as we are joining the train of success — the APC. We thank the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, for coming to the rescue of the people of Kano State. Positively, he has been impacting the lives of Kano people,” Minjibir stated.
He also expressed disappointment in the NNPP’s leadership, lamenting that the party had failed to live up to expectations or deliver on the promises made to the people of Kano.
While receiving the new members, Senator Barau I. Jibrin described their defection as a bold and patriotic step, noting that they had made the “right decision” by joining a progressive and result-oriented platform like the APC.
“We are here to receive this group of hardworking youth, comprising men and women from the Kwankwasiyya Movement, to our great party, the APC. We congratulate you on making the right decision. APC is the largest party in Africa, and we are doing well in terms of human development. I see no reason why you will cage yourselves in a mushroom party like the NNPP,” Barau said.
He emphasized that the APC remains the only political platform with the capacity to deliver sustainable development, citing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s responsiveness to the needs of Kano and the North.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has never said no to any of our requests for our people in Kano and other parts of the North. He is doing a lot for us. All he needs now is our support and prayers. And with your commitment, we are going to succeed by the grace of God,” the Deputy Senate President added.
Political observers say the defection could further strengthen the APC’s grassroots structure in Kano State, a key battleground in the North ahead of the 2027 general elections.
