The All Progressives Congress (APC) has suffered another political setback following the defection of Mustapha Bala Dawaki, a former Chief of Staff to the party’s National Chairman, to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dawaki, a former member of the House of Representatives who represented Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency in Kano State, officially aligned with the opposition movement on Monday in Kano.
His defection comes barely days after he reportedly lost his bid to secure a return ticket within the APC through an internal consensus arrangement.
The move was confirmed by Saifullahi Hassan, media aide to prominent Kwankwasiyya leader and NDC figure, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
According to Hassan, Dawaki was received into the NDC fold during a political meeting held at Kwankwaso’s residence along Miller Road in Kano.
In a post announcing the development, Hassan described the former APC stalwart as the latest high-profile figure to join the NDC-backed Kwankwasiyya political structure.
Dawaki’s exit is seen as a significant development within Kano’s political landscape, particularly given his close association with the leadership of the APC at the national level.
Political analysts believe the defection may deepen concerns over internal discontent within the ruling party, especially as consultations and alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections gather momentum across the country.
The NDC, which has intensified grassroots mobilization and coalition-building efforts in recent months, appears to be positioning itself as an emerging opposition platform attracting dissatisfied politicians from major parties.
Although there is speculation about Dawaki’s possible political ambitions under the NDC, party sources say discussions on tickets and future contests are still ongoing.
The latest switch adds to the growing wave of political recalculations and strategic defections shaping Nigeria’s evolving political climate ahead of the next election cycle.