The All Progressives Congress, APC is sending a clear message that it is more than ready to ground the Kwankwasiyya Movement in Kano, come 2027.
On Saturday Kano witnessed an extraordinary display of political mobilisation as hundreds of thousands of supporters of the APC flooded the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata, for a grand rally held to receieve high-profile defectors into the ruling party.
Among the defectors who reportedly crossed over to the ruling party during the unveiling of campaign groups mobilising support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections were senators Rufai Sani Hanga and Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya, as well as Senator Masud El-Jibrin Doguwa
The mass defection also attracted several officials and chieftains from opposition parties in the state.
Ali Datti Yako, the Kano State Deputy Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), was among those who announced their decision to join the APC; Some members of the NDC state executive committee reportedly moved with him.
Badaru Umar, a former chairman of Ungogo Local Government Area, also joined the ruling party alongside supporters of former Kano APC governorship candidate Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna.
The list of defectors further included former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Isyaku Ali Danja, who reportedly moved to the APC with his supporters.
Former PDP deputy governorship candidate Yusuf Bello Danbatta also defected alongside his political associates; Senator Baraka Sani, a former Special Adviser to the President, was another notable figure who joined the APC.
Abdullahi Zubairu Abiya, chairman of the NNPP’s “Book Faction,” also crossed over, while former NNPP senatorial candidate Abdulmajid Dauda Dandawaki joined the APC with his supporters.
An NDC candidate for the Kano State House of Assembly, Kabiru, was also listed among the latest defectors.
The fresh defections come amid growing movement from opposition parties into the APC in Kano, following Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s decision to join the ruling party.
Since the governor’s defection, a number of lawmakers, political appointees and other influential politicians in the state have similarly moved into the APC.
The latest development is expected to further alter the political calculations in Kano as parties intensify preparations for the 2027 elections.
The unprecedented turnout transformed the ancient city into a carnival-like atmosphere, with party faithful clad in colourful APC attire singing, dancing and chanting pro-Tinubu slogans long before the commencement of the event.
The massive gathering spilled beyond the stadium, causing severe traffic congestion and disrupting commercial activities across major parts of the metropolis.
Roads linking the Kano Central Business District, including routes leading to Kanti Kwari, Singer and Kurmi markets, were overwhelmed by jubilant supporters waving party flags and celebrating the APC’s growing ranks.
Speaking with journalists at the venue, frontline APC stalwart, Faizu Alfindiki, described the rally as a clear demonstration of the party’s dominance in Kano ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Kano is APC. The genuine crowd you are seeing here, dancing with excitement, is a testimony that the people are ready to deliver the APC from top to bottom,” Alfindiki said.
He maintained that the rally was only the beginning of a broader political mobilisation across the state.
“Today’s rally is simply to test the waters and demonstrate our strength. Kano, any day and any time, stands with President Tinubu. Our strength continues to soar, and we are taking nothing for granted. The journey to 2027 has begun, and we are ready to prove our popularity,” he added.
The rally drew supporters from across Kano’s 44 local government areas, underscoring what party leaders described as renewed confidence in the APC and its leadership.
