APC national chairman’s top aide joins NDC after losing Kano primary

Mustapha Bala, the chief of staff to the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, has switched allegiance to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Bala's defection occurred on Monday, just days after he lost a primary election for the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency. The primary was held to select a candidate for the 2027 election and to fill the seat vacated by the death of Muhammad Danjuma in April. Danjuma had represented the constituency under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Following his move to the NDC, Bala was formally welcomed into his new party by former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso at his residence in Kano. A statement from Kwankwaso's media aide, Saifullahi Hassan, confirmed the defection, noting that Bala was symbolically presented with the "famous red Kwankwasiyya cap." Bala had previously served as Chief of Staff under former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje before retaining the position under the current chairman, Yilwatda.

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As part of the symbolic reception into the Kwankwasiyya movement, Hon. Mustapha Bala Dawaki was decorated with the famous red Kwankwasiyya cap.