Gwarzo, Gawuna set to dump ADC for NDC – Aide

The immediate past Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Gwarzo, and the 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Nasiru Gawuna, are set to dump the African Democratic Congress for the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

Their planned defection follows the recent political realignment involving former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi.

Both leaders were seen in a viral video on Sunday receiving membership cards of the NDC, signalling what appeared to be their formal entry into the party.

The footage showed Kwankwaso being presented with his membership card before Obi received his, during what sources described as a registration process.

The development came hours after both politicians reportedly held a closed-door meeting with leaders of the NDC at the Abuja residence of the party’s National Leader and former Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson.

The move is part of ongoing political realignments among opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In separate interviews with The PUNCH on Monday, the spokesperson to Gwarzo, Ibrahim Shuaibu, and a close associate of Gawuna, Ahmed Gogel, confirmed that the two Kano politicians would soon formally announce their defection.

Shuaibu said Gwarzo’s decision was closely tied to Kwankwaso’s political direction.

“Do you think Kwankwaso will dump ADC and Gwarzo will remain in the party? He will soon make his position known publicly,” he said.

Similarly, Gogel disclosed that Gawuna had concluded plans to exit the ADC and align with the emerging political bloc.

“He is already consulting widely and aligning with key stakeholders. It is only a matter of time before he formally resigns from the ADC and joins the NDC,” he said.

Gogel added that the decision was driven by what he described as the need to reposition politically ahead of the 2027 elections.

“The current political developments have created a new reality. For leaders like Gawuna, it is important to take strategic decisions that will ensure relevance and effective participation in the next electoral cycle,” he stated.

Findings by The PUNCH indicate that the wave of defections may trigger further shifts within Kano’s political landscape, particularly among loyalists of Kwankwaso, who remains a central figure in the state’s politics.

Political analysts say the emerging coalition under the NDC could reshape opposition dynamics if more high-profile figures align with the platform.

The unfolding developments underscore growing permutations and alliances as political actors reposition themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.