The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, has disclosed efforts to reintegrate key figures such as Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila and Rep. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum back into the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The two prominent politicians had defected to the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) before the 2023 general elections, citing dissatisfaction over the alleged marginalisation of Kano South in APC’s governorship candidate selection.
READ ALSO: Minister Ata vows to reclaim Kano for APC
Kawu Sumaila, who represents Kano South, and Kabiru Rurum, a former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly and representative of the Kibiya, Rano, and Bunkure federal constituency, have been actively involved in the ongoing crisis within the NNPP. They left the APC alongside Aliyu Sani Madakin-Gini, the Deputy Minority Whip of the House of Representatives and member for the Dala federal constituency.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, Ata stated that his ministerial appointment was aimed at addressing the internal issues facing the APC in Kano. “When you are given an appointment in government, if you do not know the job, it becomes difficult to deliver,” he said. “That is why it is important to give such roles to those who have worked hard for the party, which has pleased the supporters.”
Expressing optimism about APC’s standing in the state, Ata noted a significant shift in political sentiment since the new administration took over. “Before, red caps were everywhere, but now it has drastically reduced. Time will tell, but we are strategising to win the election,” he remarked, referring to the symbol associated with the NNPP.
Highlighting his strategy to strengthen APC’s presence across Kano, Ata emphasised the need for balanced efforts. He pointed out that northern Kano, which includes key figures like Ganduje, Abba Bichi, Murtala, and T. Gwarzo, was the only region where APC secured victories during the elections. “We are bringing in people like Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, Kawu Sumaila, and Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa to help strengthen our efforts,” Ata added.
Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa, who represents the Kiru/Bebeji federal constituency, had also defected from the APC to join the NNPP ahead of the 2023 elections. Ata reiterated that his appointment was politically motivated, aiming to bolster APC’s chances in the upcoming 2027 elections.
