NNPP senator, Kawu Sumaila defects to APC

By Iyojo Ameh

The Senator representing Kano South under the platform of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Senator Kawu Sumaila has defected from the NNPP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

President of Senate,Godswill Akpabio read the letter of
Sumaila’s defection at plenary in Abuja

Sumaila in the letter entitled “notification of defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party, (⁸⁶NNPP,) to the All Progressive Congress, the (APC)the only stable party in Nigeria” said:

“Pursuant to section 68, subsection 1 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, I write to the Senate President on behalf of the Senate.

“I write to formally notify the Senate through your esteemed office of my defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP)to the All Progressive Congress, the largest party in Africa.

“My decision to bid goodbye to the NNPP is anchored on compelling and undeniable developments within the party, which have rendered the party severely divided and dysfunctional.

“Over the past months, I have observed a growing number of litigations that have practically torn the party apart and left its structure fractured.

” All of which clearly centered around issues of party disunity, functional leadership, and the legitimacy of its operations.

“These legal battles have not only eroded internal cohesion but have created parallel and conflicting authorities within the party. ”

Sumaila said a further manifestation of the division was the existence of multiple factions each with its own distinct party logo.

This, he noted underscored the depth of the division and reflects a clear and public splintering of the party’s identity in both form and substance, as the party was divided in form and substance.

“If any of these circumstances, which in my respectful opinion, meet the threshold of a division in the political party, as contemplated under the provision to section 68, subsection 1 of the constitution.

“I have come to the firm conclusion that continuing my membership with the NNPP would no longer serve the national interest, nor the interest of my constituents, which I represent.

“Therefore, in the spirit of democratic accountability and in line with my constitutional right, I have moved to APC , a national platform, an international platform, which I believe will better support my legislative responsibilities and aspirations of the good people of my senatorial district,” he said

It is worthy of note that with the defection of Sumailia to APC from the NNPP, the number of senators on the platform of NNPP has reduced to two, while those on the platform of APC increased to 65, PDP 33, Labour Party five ,SDP two while APGA has one, totalling 107 senators leaving two seats vacant.

The two vacant seats are those of Anambra South occasioned by the death of Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah in 2024 and Edo Central, following the election of Sen.Monday Okpebholo as Executive Governor of Edo State.