House of Assembly candidates who contested under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from Zamfara, Plateau, Taraba, and Jigawa states have formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). They announced their defection on Monday during a visit to APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda at the party's national secretariat in Abuja.
Defectors Pledge Support for Tinubu's Re-Election
Dr. Princess Aslam Aliyu Gambiyar from Zamfara State, who led the delegation, said the group's decision to leave the ADC was driven by their confidence in President Bola Tinubu's administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda. As reported by Vanguard, she added that they were ready to actively support the party's efforts towards the president's second term in the 2027 general elections.
The defectors declared their support for Tinubu's re-election campaign, marking a significant political realignment in the four states. Their move is part of a broader trend of political figures crossing party lines as Nigeria approaches the next electoral cycle.
APC Chairman Tasks New Members With Grassroots Mobilisation
Yilwatda received the new members warmly and immediately tasked them with returning to their wards to begin grassroots work. "We have young people who are joining us in the progressive fold. I am happy that you resigned and presented your resignation letters to your wards. The job now is to go back to your wards and start work," he said.
The APC chairman also took the opportunity to push back against opposition claims that the Tinubu-led Federal Government had neglected Northern Nigeria. He pointed to a range of road projects currently underway across the region by Tinubu's administration, citing the Abuja-Kano-Maiduguri corridor, Jos-Akwanga, Kwara-Niger, Sokoto-Kebbi, Laila-Sokoto, and Kano-Daura roads as evidence of the administration's commitment to the North.
Yilwatda Defends Fuel Subsidy Removal, Warns of Funding Cuts
On the economy, Yilwatda warned that reversing the removal of the fuel subsidy could cut funding for infrastructure and programmes such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). He assured the defectors that their contributions would be recognised within the APC, and said he would inform President Tinubu of their decision.
Yilwatda also said he would recommend the new members to governors in their home states for involvement in mobilisation activities ahead of 2027. The defections are the latest in a series of political realignments taking place across party lines as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections.
Former Governorship Candidate Dumps ADC
Meanwhile, Legit.ng also reported that Tonye Ibraye, a former governorship candidate, dumped the ADC on September 24, 2026, citing a prolonged leadership dispute threatening the party's 2027 election plans. Ibraye warned that candidates produced under a contested ADC leadership risked having their nominations built on unstable legal ground.
The former Rivers governorship candidate said he would consult supporters across all 23 local government areas before deciding his next political move.
