There are indications that the National Democratic Congress, NDC, is making moves to woo the Chief of Staff to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Hon. Mustapha Bala Dawaki, to contest for the Dawakin-Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency seat on its platform.
According to Daily Trust reports, party sources said the move followed alleged controversies surrounding the APC primary process in the constituency ahead of the 2027 elections.
A source familiar with the development said the Kwankwasiyya-backed NDC considered Dawaki a valuable political figure whose defection could deal a major blow to the APC.
“The optics would be damaging for the APC,” the source said.
“If the Chief of Staff to the National Chairman himself is denied a ticket through controversial means and then welcomed by another platform, it sends a message about internal injustice within the party.”
Reports alleged that the APC primary in the constituency was marred by irregularities, manipulation, and rigging, a situation said to have angered supporters of Dawaki.
Dawaki, a former three-term member of the House of Representatives, previously chaired the House Committee on Appropriations during the 8th National Assembly.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Bayero University, Kano, and postgraduate qualifications, including an MSc and MBA from institutions in London and Scotland.
The constituency has recently attracted political attention amid claims that Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, is backing another aspirant, Hon. Shu’aibu Rabiu, a first-term member of the Kano State House of Assembly representing Dawakin-Kudu State Constituency.
Efforts to get comments from Dawaki and the APC leadership on the alleged moves by the NDC were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
