In a move that has set political tongues wagging, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, and Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, recently attended private ceremonies hosted by an opposition senator in Kano. Their presence has ignited a firestorm of speculation, with many questioning the motives behind this unusual show of unity across party lines.
The Events That Stirred the Pot
The controversy began when Senator Kawu Sumaila, a member of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) representing Kano South, hosted two high-profile events in his hometown of Sumaila.
The Wedding Ceremony
On February 21, 2025, Senator Sumaila celebrated the weddings of his children, Dr. Khadija Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila and Maryam Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, to Faisal Abdulmanaf Sarina and Bello Ibrahim Ma’aji, respectively. The ceremonies were officiated by Professor Salisu Shehu, the Imam of Sumaila Jumaat Mosque.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin led a delegation of federal lawmakers to the event, while APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje also made an appearance. Jibrin took to social media to congratulate the newlyweds, writing, “May Allah bless their union and give them patience, endurance, tolerance, and love.”
Al-Istiqama University Convocation
The following day, Ganduje and Jibrin were spotted again, this time at the first convocation of Al-Istiqama University, a private institution reportedly founded by Senator Sumaila in Sumaila Local Government Area.
Political Tensions Rise
The presence of these high-ranking APC figures at an NNPP senator’s events has raised eyebrows, especially within the NNPP. Party members have taken to social media to express their unease, with many speculating that Senator Sumaila might be considering a return to the APC.
Adding fuel to the fire, Senator Sumaila notably excluded key NNPP figures, such as Governor Abba Yusuf and party leader Rabiu Kwankwaso, from the guest list. Instead, he welcomed opposition leaders, including former Kano governor Ibrahim Shekarau of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
A History of Rifts
This isn’t the first time Senator Sumaila has found himself at odds with his party. He and several NNPP lawmakers from Kano South have previously clashed with Governor Yusuf over the reinstatement of deposed Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, and the repeal of the 2019 State Emirate Council Law.
The lawmakers opposed the dissolution of the four emirates created under former Governor Ganduje, arguing that the move was against the interests of their constituents. Since then, Sumaila and some of his colleagues have distanced themselves from the NNPP-led state government.
What This Means for Nigerian Politics
If Senator Sumaila defects to the APC, he would join a growing list of opposition lawmakers switching allegiance to the ruling party. This could further weaken the NNPP, which currently holds Kano as its only governed state and is Nigeria’s fourth-largest political party by parliamentary representation.
The NNPP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, finished fourth, securing victory only in Kano State. A defection by Sumaila could signal a shift in the political landscape, particularly in Kano, a key battleground state.
A Political Chess Game
As the dust settles on these events, one thing is clear: Nigerian politics remains as unpredictable as ever. Whether Senator Sumaila’s actions signal an impending defection or simply a gesture of goodwill across party lines, the implications for Kano—and Nigerian politics at large—are significant.
Stay tuned as this political drama unfolds!