A major political realignment has unfolded in Kano State as former deputy governor and 2023 APC governorship candidate, Nasiru Gawuna, officially defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Gawuna formalised his membership on Tuesday at his Gawuna Ward in Nasarawa Local Government Area, where he was issued his party card in the presence of key political figures and a large crowd of supporters.
Among dignitaries at the event were former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; the immediate past deputy governor, Aminu Gwarzo; and the ADC state chairman, Musa Ungogo.
Speaking after his registration, Gawuna thanked his supporters and party leaders, pledging to strengthen the ADC’s structure and influence in the state.
His defection follows his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), which he described as a personal and voluntary decision in a letter dated March 29, 2026, addressed to his ward chairman.
In the letter, he expressed gratitude to the APC for the opportunity to serve, acknowledging the platform it provided for his political growth.
The move comes amid a broader wave of political recalibration in Kano ahead of the 2027 general elections, with key actors shifting alliances in preparation for the next electoral cycle.
Prior to his defection, Gawuna also stepped down as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, effective March 31, 2026, in line with a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu mandating political appointees seeking elective office to resign.
He had thanked the President for the confidence reposed in him, describing his service in various roles—including as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Bayero University, Kano—as a privilege.
Gawuna’s entry into the ADC is widely seen as a significant boost for the party in Kano, given his strong political base and performance in the 2023 governorship election, where he secured 890,705 votes.
Political observers say the development could further reshape Kano’s political landscape as alignments continue to shift ahead of 2027.
