By Samuel Abasiekong-Abasiekong
The ruling All Progressives Congress is facing renewed concerns over possible cracks within its ranks following the defection of former House of Representatives member, Mustapha Bala Dawaki, to the opposition Nigeria Democratic Congress in Kano State.
Dawaki, who once served as Chief of Staff to the APC National Chairman and represented Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency, abandoned the ruling party days after losing his return ticket through the party’s consensus arrangement ahead of the elections.
His exit has fueled fears among party loyalists that the APC could lose more critical stakeholders who feel sidelined or unfairly treated during the primaries.
The defection was confirmed on Monday by Saifullahi Hassan, media aide to prominent NDC leader Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
According to him, Dawaki was formally received into the NDC at Kwankwaso’s Miller Road residence in Kano.
“The leader has today accepted the former Chief of Staff to the APC National Chairman, Mustapha Bala Dawaki, into the NDC Kwankwasiyya,” Hassan wrote in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page.
Political observers say the development may deepen anxiety within the APC, especially in Kano and other northern states where aggrieved aspirants and party chieftains have continued to complain about consensus arrangements and alleged imposition of candidates.
There are growing fears that more influential figures denied tickets or political relevance could migrate to opposition parties ahead of the elections.
The defection also comes as the NDC intensifies efforts to strengthen its structure and distribute party tickets across states through consensus.
However, it remains uncertain whether Dawaki will secure an automatic ticket to contest under the platform of the opposition party.
