Kano lawmaker dumps APC for NDC after losing return ticket

Abdulmajid Isa Umar Mai Rigar Fata, a member of the Kano State House of Assembly representing Gwale Constituency, has defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress following his failure to secure the party’s return ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.

The lawmaker, who represents Gwale Local Government Area — the hometown of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf — was formally received in Abuja by former Kano State governor and one of the NDC leaders, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, at his Maitama residence.

Kwankwaso described the defection as a major boost to the NDC’s grassroots structure in Kano, expressing confidence that the party would continue to attract aggrieved politicians across the state.

Mai Rigar Fata was first elected into the Assembly in 2023 on the platform of the NNPP before later aligning with Governor Yusuf and moving to the APC. His latest defection comes shortly after he lost the APC ticket to seek another term in office.

Also joining the NDC were former Gwale Local Government Vice Chairman, Hon. Kabiru Sani Auwal Obi, and Malam Mahadi Isa Umar.

The development came hours after a Federal High Court ruling voided aspects of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s guidelines on political defections and party primaries, a judgement many opposition figures say could trigger widespread realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.