Former APC Chairman’s Chief of Staff Defects to NDC
Mustapha Bala Dawaki, who served as Chief of Staff to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has officially defected to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC). The announcement came barely one week after Dawaki lost his bid for a return ticket within the APC through a consensus arrangement.
The defection was confirmed on Monday by Saifullahi Hassan, media aide to NDC leader and Kwankwasiyya figure Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. According to Hassan, Dawaki was welcomed at Kwankwaso’s Miller Road residence in Kano.
“Leader [Kwankwaso] has today accepted the former Chief of Staff to the APC national Chairman, Mustapha Bala Dawaki (Mai Gidan Ruwa) to the NDC Kwankwasiyya,” Hassan wrote on his verified Facebook page.
Bauchi Senator Quits APC for PRP
In a related development, Senator Shehu Buba Umar, representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, announced his resignation from the APC on Sunday, May 24, 2026. He cited the absence of internal democracy, lack of fairness, marginalisation of genuine party members, and a growing disregard for grassroots views within the ruling party as his reasons for leaving.
The senator’s decision followed his withdrawal from the APC governorship primary election in Bauchi State. Shortly after resigning, he joined the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), positioning himself with an opposition platform ahead of the next electoral cycle.
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