ABUJA, Nigeria — A major political earthquake hit the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday after Hon. Mustapha Bala Dawaki, the Chief of Staff to the APC National Chairman, officially dumped the party for the fast-growing New Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dawaki’s exit is sending shockwaves through the highest levels of the ruling party’s leadership, dealing a massive blow to the APC’s internal stability while handing the opposition NDC its biggest political catch in recent months.
A High-Profile Exit from the Inner Circle
As Chief of Staff to the National Chairman, Dawaki was a highly influential insider who sat at the heart of the APC’s national administration and decision-making machinery. He is widely recognized as a deeply grounded political strategist with extensive networks across northern political circles.
Dawaki announced his formal defection in Abuja on May 25, 2026, cutting ties with the ruling party after years of close working relationships with its top leadership.
What This Means for the APC and NDC
Political analysts are labeling the defection a critical turning point that will completely shift national political calculations.
- Blow to the APC: Losing a key administrator who understands the ruling party’s internal structures, voter mobilization strategies, and upcoming election blueprints creates an immediate vacuum and security concern for the APC national leadership.
- Boost for the NDC: For the opposition NDC, Dawaki’s arrival provides a massive boost to its ongoing national restructuring. The party has aggressively positioned itself as the primary alternative platform for Nigerians dissatisfied with the status quo, and catching an experienced northern political heavyweight significantly expands its regional reach.
Shifting Tides Ahead of Future Polls
Dawaki’s move comes amid intense backroom consultations and political realignments as parties consolidate their structures ahead of future electoral contests.
Insiders within the NDC camp are already celebrating the move, noting that Dawaki’s departure will likely trigger a domino effect, drawing other aggrieved or strategic APC stalwarts into the opposition fold in the coming weeks.
