Breaking: Former APC Chairman’s Chief Of Staff Defects To NDC

Dawaki, who previously represented Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency of Kano State in the House of Representatives, joined the opposition party just one week after losing his bid to return to the National Assembly ticket under the APC, following a consensus arrangement.

His defection was confirmed on Monday by Saifullahi Hassan, media aide to a leader of the NDC and Kwankwasiyya figure, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Hassan disclosed that Dawaki was formally received at Kwankwaso’s residence on Miller Road, Kano.

“Leader [Kwankwaso] has today accepted the former Chief of Staff to the APC national Chairman, Mustapha Bala Dawaki (Mai Gidan Ruwa), into the NDC Kwankwasiyya,” he wrote on his verified Facebook page.

The development adds to a growing wave of defections from the APC amid rising political tensions and internal disputes within the party.

In a related development, Senator Shehu Buba Umar, who represents Bauchi South Senatorial District, has also resigned from the APC and joined the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), following his withdrawal from the APC governorship primary in Bauchi State.

Umar, a leading aspirant for the governorship ticket, had pulled out shortly before the primary election, alleging violations of party guidelines and constitutional breaches.

He announced his resignation on Sunday, May 24, 2026, citing lack of internal democracy, unfair treatment of members, marginalisation of loyal party stakeholders, and disregard for grassroots voices within the APC.