Senator Kawu Sumaila, who represents Kano South Senatorial District, has officially defected from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
His defection was announced on Wednesday during the Senate plenary session, where Senate President Godswill Akpabio read out a letter from Sumaila detailing the reasons for his departure from the NNPP.
In the letter, titled “Notification of defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC),” Sumaila attributed his decision to internal turmoil within the NNPP.
“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,” the letter began.
“I write to formally notify the Senate through your esteemed office of my defection from the NNPP to the APC, the largest party in Africa.”
Explaining the basis for his exit, the senator wrote, “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.”
According to him, the NNPP has been plagued by incessant legal disputes that have fractured its leadership and disrupted its operations.
“Over the past months, I have observed a growing number of litigations that have practically torn the party apart and left its structure fractured,” he noted.
“All of which clearly centred on issues of party disunity, functional leadership, and the legitimacy of its operations.”
Sumaila further pointed out the emergence of multiple factions within the party, each claiming to represent the authentic NNPP and even using different versions of the party’s logo.
He said, “These legal battles have not only eroded internal cohesion but have created parallel and conflicting authorities within the party.”
“This,” he continued, “underscored the depth of the division and reflected a clear and public splintering of the party’s identity in both form and substance, as the party was divided in form and substance.”
In conclusion, the lawmaker said he was acting in the best interest of his constituents and legislative duties.
“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 declared.
