Jibrin Returns to APC, Endorses Tinubu’s 2027 Re-Election Bid Amid Political Realignments

By Emmanuel Kwada

In a dramatic political turnaround, House of Representatives member Abdulmumin Jibrin, representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency in Kano State, has rejoined the All Progressives Congress (APC) just two months after his expulsion from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

Jibrin, a former Director-General of the Tinubu Support Groups, announced his defection during a massive rally in his hometown of Kofa, Bebeji Local Government Area, on Sunday, while pledging unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

The announcement, shared on Jibrin’s official Facebook page and verified social media handles on Monday, was met with cheers from thousands of supporters who waved APC flags and replaced the iconic red “Kwankwasiyya” caps—symbols of the NNPP and its leader Rabiu Kwankwaso—with Tinubu-branded caps.

A widely circulated video from the event captured Jibrin donning the new cap amid chants and applause, signaling a symbolic break from his recent alignment with the Kwankwasiyya movement.

“Today, in a show of solidarity, I was warmly received by thousands of my constituents in my hometown of Kofa, Bebeji, Kano,” Jibrin wrote in his post.

“The gathering resolved to leave the NNPP/Kwankwasiyya, join the APC, and endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for a second term in office. From the beginning, almost 2,000 scholars from my constituency have prayed special prayers for the President and sought peace, development, and progress for Kiru/Bebeji, Kano, and Nigeria altogether.”

The defection comes barely two months after Jibrin’s expulsion from the NNPP on September 10, 2025, over allegations of anti-party activities and failure to pay membership dues.

At the time, Jibrin decried the decision as “shocking and unjustified,” arguing that an interview he granted—in both English and Hausa—did not merit such punishment. He accused the party of denying him fair hearing and due process, insisting he had never defaulted on dues.

“I have accepted the decision in good faith. I will not challenge it in court,” Jibrin stated then, while lamenting the NNPP’s leadership for undervaluing its members. He expressed gratitude for the support he received during his tenure but urged his followers to embark on this “new journey” peacefully, maintaining cordial ties with those staying behind.

Jibrin’s political odyssey traces back to May 2022, when he left the APC citing internal disputes, only to align with Kwankwaso and the NNPP. Despite this, he remained a vocal Tinubu ally, even predicting the president’s 2027 victory in a September 2025 Channels Television interview and hinting at potential alliances between Kwankwaso and Tinubu.

His recent visits to the Presidential Villa had fueled speculation of an impending return.

The move is viewed as a significant victory for the APC in Kano, a volatile political heartland where Kwankwaso’s NNPP holds sway. Analysts suggest it could erode NNPP’s base in Kiru/Bebeji, bolstering Tinubu’s northern outreach ahead of the 2027 polls.

“This is a major boost for the APC’s machinery in Kano,” said a local political observer, noting Jibrin’s influence as a four-term lawmaker and former chair of key House committees on Finance, Appropriation, and Housing.