A former Chief of Staff to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, Mustapha Bala Dawaki, has defected to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that Dawaki, a former member of the House of Representatives, represented Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency of Kano State.
He joined the opposition party barely one week after losing his return ticket in the APC through a consensus arrangement.
The defection was confirmed on Monday by Saifullahi Hassan, media aide to one of the leaders of the NDC and Kwankwasiyya leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Hassan said Dawaki was received 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,” Kwankwaso’s aide posted on his verified Facebook page.
APC Crisis Deepens In Bauchi As Lawmaker, Ex-Deputy Gov Candidate, Others Dumps Party
In a related development, the Senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, Shehu Buba Umar, has resigned from APC and joined the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), days after withdrawing from the APC governorship primary election in Bauchi State.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that Umar, who was considered one of the frontline governorship aspirants in the APC, had pulled out of the primary election hours before the exercise, alleging violation of the party’s electoral guidelines and abuse of the country’s constitution.
The senator announced his resignation from the ruling party on Sunday, May 24, 2026, citing what he described as the absence of internal democracy, lack of fairness, marginalisation of genuine party members and growing disregard for the views of grassroots supporters within the APC.