Tinubu Meets 2 Former Northern Governors Amid Defection Surge
- President Bola Tinubu reportedly met with two former governors of Kano and Jigawa states in Abuja
- The closed-door meetings were held under the ruling APC on March 31, 2026, at the Presidential Villa
- Both of the former governors both declined to speak with journalists about the purpose of their visits
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
FCT, Abuja - President Bola Tinubu had a closed-door meeting with former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, and former Defence Minister, Badaru Abubakar.
Tinubu reportedly received both men, who are former governors of Kano and Jigawa states, respectively, in separate meetings held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
Source: Twitter
The meeting came a day after the former New Nigeria People’s Party chieftain, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Kano deputy governor, Nasiru Gawuna, and others defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Some lawmakers from Kano state are reportedly planning to join Kwankwaso in the ADC.
As reported by The Punch, Ganduje left the state house at approximately 4.15 pm, while Badaru departed about 15 minutes later at 4.30 pm.
Neither of them spoke to newsmen about the purpose of their visits to Abuja.
The separate timing of their exits suggested the meetings with Tinubu were individual consultations rather than a joint session.
The visits may be connected to the defection surge in Kano and Jigawa states.
It may also be connected with the ongoing reorganisation following the recent APC national convention and
It was gathered that some APC chieftains loyal to Badaru may be heading to the ADC, following the crisis with Jigawa state Governor Umar Namadi.
Source: Facebook
Prominent Kano politician defects to ADC
Recall that Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the ADC at a rally in Kano state.
The 2023 NNPP presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, described the move as a significant political turning point.
A warning was issued against attempts to disrupt future electoral processes.
APC, ADC defections dominate political headlines
- Reps Deputy Spokesperson Agbese Dumps APC, Gives Reason
- 3 Reasons Kwankwaso’s Defection to ADC Poses Strong Threat to Tinubu, APC
- Presidency Accused Of Plot to Stop ADC From Participating in 2027 Elections
- Nasarawa: Tinubu Urged to Call APC Gov Aspirant Senator Wadada to Order as Group Gives Reason
- 2027 Election: APC Gets Strong Warning Over Mass Defection
- ADC Told: "Numbers Alone Do Not Guarantee Strength"
- 2027 Election: Will ADC Defectors Be Assets or Liabilities?
- Governor Bala Mohammed Hints at Joining ADC, Gives Reason
Kano: House of Reps members dump NNPP
Earlier, Legit.ng also reported that eight Kano State House of Representatives members had switched allegiance from the NNPP to the APC during the plenary session on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
The defection was formally announced at the Green Chamber, with Speaker Tajudeen Abbas presiding as Governor Abba Yusuf and ex-Governor Umar Ganduje of Kano witnessed the official transition.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
