Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo says Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential running mate, and his supporters will likely move to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the January 2027 presidential election.
Keyamo’s comments follow the APC national chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda welcoming defectors into the APC in Kano State. Nigerian Eye reports that the group included several politicians and supporters linked to Kwankwaso and other political figures, including Sen. Rufa’i Sani Hanga and Sen. Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya, as well as NDC officials, including Hon. Ali Datti Yako and Hon. Badaru Umar.
In response, Keyamo says he expects “henchmen” of Kwankwaso to leave the NDC for the APC. Both outlets frame his position as a political prediction about voter and supporter alignment in Kano, with the Daily Post Nigeria adding that Kano people will “dump” Kwankwaso and join the APC. The outlets do not report Kwankwaso or the NDC directly addressing the claims, and there is no independent verification of anticipated defections or how voters will ultimately vote.
