Abdulaziz Umar Ganduje, the eldest son of former Kano State governor and immediate past National Chairman of the APC, , has defected from the ruling party to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the next general election.
Abdulaziz has also secured the NDC nomination form to contest for the House of Representatives seat representing Dawakin Tofa/Tofa/Rimin Gado Federal Constituency in Kano State.
His defection has generated political reactions across Kano, particularly due to his longstanding association with the Kwankwasiyya political movement led by former governor , despite his father’s strong influence within the APC over the years.
A video currently circulating online showed Abdulaziz meeting with Kwankwaso shortly after obtaining the nomination form. During the meeting, he reportedly discussed his political ambition and preparations for the election.
The latest development adds a fresh dimension to the long-running political rivalry between Ganduje and Kwankwaso, whose alliance collapsed years ago as both politicians emerged as major opposing forces in Kano politics.
Although his father remained a prominent APC figure, Abdulaziz has maintained a visible distance from the Ganduje political camp and has openly aligned himself with the Kwankwasiyya movement for several years.
His political stance became more noticeable after his involvement in a controversial disagreement with his mother, Prof Hafsat Umar Ganduje, whom he reportedly petitioned to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged breached agreement.
Abdulaziz is now seeking the same federal constituency seat contested by his younger brother, Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, under the APC during the 2023 general election.
Despite Ganduje’s political influence as Kano governor at the time, Umar lost the election to the candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), highlighting the growing popularity of the Kwankwasiyya movement in parts of Kano State.
