SDP Vice-Presidential Candidate, Kano Gubernatorial Flagbearer Defect to APC

In a major political shift, the 2023 vice-presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Yusuf Buhari, and the party’s Kano State governorship candidate, Bala Gwagwarawa, have officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Their defection, along with that of the Kano State Working Committee, 38 local government chairmen and secretaries, 13 state assembly candidates, and six House of Representatives candidates, was formalized at an event in Abuja on Tuesday.

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Mass Defection Shakes Kano’s Political Landscape

The large-scale defection of SDP chieftains marks a significant realignment in Kano State’s political dynamics, particularly as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections. Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, addressing the defectors, described the move as a major setback to efforts aimed at building the SDP into a viable opposition force against the APC.

He specifically took a swipe at former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who recently joined the SDP, suggesting that his ambition to challenge the APC through the party in 2027 was futile.

“Those traversing the nation, trying to build the SDP into a viable platform to rival the APC in 2027, have failed utterly. That mission is dead on arrival. Nigerians have rejected it,” Barau declared.

He further asserted that more SDP members would soon follow suit in abandoning the party for the APC.

“If we delayed this meeting till tomorrow, nearly all SDP candidates nationwide would have joined us. We shall receive them officially in due course,” he added.

APC Leaders Welcome the Defectors

National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, officially welcomed the new entrants, assuring them that they would be granted full rights and privileges within the party.

Describing the defection as a move “from darkness to light,” Ganduje praised the APC’s leadership under President Bola Tinubu, vowing that the party would continue to drive national development and progress.

Former Kano State Governor Kabiru Gaya also weighed in on the development, declaring that the SDP had been weakened significantly even before El-Rufai’s arrival.

“The SDP is dead. Its vice-presidential candidate is here, the Kano candidate is here, all key stakeholders are now with the APC. I commend the Deputy Senate President for securing these heavyweight politicians for our party. It’s a great victory for APC,” Gaya stated.

Implications for the 2027 Elections

This mass defection further consolidates APC’s grip on Kano State, a crucial political battleground in Nigeria. With major SDP figures now aligning with the ruling party, the opposition’s chances of mounting a formidable challenge in 2027 appear increasingly uncertain.

The event in Abuja underscores the fluid nature of Nigerian politics, where party loyalty can shift dramatically based on strategic interests. As more defections loom, observers will be closely watching how this realignment impacts both the APC and the broader political landscape ahead of the next general elections.