KANO, NIGERIA – A member of the House of Representatives from Kano State was reportedly booed and heckled by his constituents during a visit to his federal constituency, just weeks after officially defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmaker, who was originally elected on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), faced a hostile reception as residents expressed their displeasure over his change of political allegiance. Witnesses at the scene reported that the crowd chanted slogans rejecting the defection, with some accusing the representative of betraying the mandate given to him during the 2023 general elections.
The Defection Wave in Kano
The incident follows a dramatic shift in Kano’s political landscape. On January 26, 2026, a mass defection occurred after Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf formally resigned from the NNPP following a high-profile meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House.
The Governor’s exit triggered a landslide of defections, including:
- 22 members of the Kano State House of Assembly.
- 8 members of the House of Representatives.
- All 44 local government chairmen in the state.
Among the prominent House of Representatives members who recently joined the APC are Hon. Sagir Ibrahim Koki (Kano Municipal) and Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin (Kiru/Bebeji). While the defecting officials cited “deepening internal crises” and “prolonged leadership disputes” within the NNPP as reasons for their exit, the move has been met with stiff resistance from grassroots supporters loyal to the Kwankwasiyya movement.
Kwankwaso Labels Defections “World Betrayal Day”
The national leader of the NNPP, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has been vocal in his condemnation of the defectors. Following the January 26 announcement, Kwankwaso declared the date as “World Betrayal Day,” accusing the lawmakers and the Governor of abandoning the movement that facilitated their rise to power.
The booing incident highlights the growing tension in Kano as the APC consolidates its grip on the state’s executive and legislative branches. Political analysts suggest that while the APC has gained institutional strength, the defectors may face a “popularity test” as they return to their constituencies ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.
Security Concerns and “APC Ole” Chants
The hostile reception in Kano mirrors recent rowdiness in the National Assembly. On February 17, 2026, proceedings in the House of Representatives were disrupted by chants of “APC ole!” (APC is a thief) as some opposition members staged a walkout, alleging financial inducement by the ruling party to facilitate more defections.
Despite the backlash, APC chieftains in Kano, including National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, have maintained that the influx of new members is driven by a need for regional stability and alignment with the federal government’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
