By Dapo Akerefon

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, a frontline politician and House of Representatives member for Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State, Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa, has officially returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Jibrin’s defection to the ruling party ends months of speculation over his political alignment following his close relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, despite his longstanding ties to his former political mentor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

His return comes two months after his expulsion from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

At a massive rally on Monday in his hometown of Kofa, Jibrin was welcomed by hundreds of jubilant supporters. Addressing the crowd, the fourth-term lawmaker said his decision to rejoin the APC was deliberate and rooted in lessons learned from past political experiences. He pledged to mobilise his loyalists out of the NNPP and work toward delivering overwhelming support for President Tinubu in 2027.

Jibrin also revealed that earlier in the day, he convened about 2,000 Islamic clerics from his constituency to offer special prayers for President Tinubu, and for peace and development in Kiru/Bebeji, Kano State, and Nigeria as a whole.

Shortly after the rally, the former Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation shared a video on his verified social media account celebrating his return to the APC. The video captured supporters chanting their endorsement of President Tinubu for a second term.

Announcing his defection online, Jibrin wrote: “Today, in a show of solidarity, I was warmly received by thousands of my constituents in my hometown of Kofa, Bebeji, Kano. The gathering resolved to leave the NNPP/Kwankwasiyya, join the APC, and endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office.”

Jibrin, who previously served as spokesperson for the NNPP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Kwankwaso, had spearheaded efforts to facilitate Kwankwaso’s return to the APC. He even met President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa to advance discussions on the proposed political reconciliation. However, the move faced resistance from some APC leaders in Kano.

His attempts at brokering the return eventually contributed to his expulsion from the NNPP, which accused him of anti-party activities and non-payment of membership dues. Jibrin accepted the decision and promised to pursue his political ambitions on an alternative platform — a plan now realised with his formal return to the APC.