Defection Ahead of 2027 Elections
Malam Saidu Umar Ubandoma, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Sokoto State for the 2023 elections, has officially resigned from the party and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The move comes ahead of the 2027 general elections and has already sparked reactions across the political spectrum.
Ubandoma cited the leadership of Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko and the record-breaking performance of Governor Ahmed Aliyu as the primary reasons for his defection. He was formally received into the APC at the residence of Senator Wamakko in Asokoro, Abuja, on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
Background of the Former Candidate
Ubandoma previously served as commissioner for finance and secretary to the Sokoto State Government under the administration of former Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. His political history includes a stint as a top official in the PDP before the party's defeat in the last gubernatorial election.
Bashar Abubakar, the special assistant on media and publicity to Senator Wamakko, announced the development in a statement. Senator Wamakko welcomed Ubandoma, describing his defection as evidence that the APC is gaining widespread acceptance across Sokoto State.
Public Reactions
The news, shared on Wamakko's Facebook page, has generated a wave of comments from Nigerians. Omeiza Ilyas Salihu questioned the motives behind the move: "Coming as what? Senator candidate or House of Representatives? If na to join and follow only, then it make no sense or achievement in politics of interest."
Sardaunan Bachaka praised Wamakko for facilitating the defection: "Alhamdulillah, keep on moving, Senator Wamakko, the exemplary leader in the seat of the caliphate. Your vision and mission are a sign of the good leadership you have shown. Once again, we welcome Ubandoma to the place he deserves."
Muhammad Bello Marafa criticized former Governor Tambuwal and commended Wamakko: "Those who perceive Saidu Umar's decision to join APC as a betrayal should inquire from Aminu Tambuwal if switching parties is a betrayal, given his own transition from APC to PDP and subsequently to ADC. Senator Magatakarda Wamakko is a political leader in Sokoto state and beyond, second to none."
Sirajo Aliyu Hamma'ali added: "Masha Allah, all the media fans are confused... I don't blame Ubandoma, when he was imprisoned he was abused, now he is talking to him, now he will also reap what he did to him, now it's 1-1."
Political Implications
This defection underscores the shifting political alliances in Sokoto State as parties prepare for the 2027 elections. Ubandoma's move from the PDP to the APC is seen as a boost for the ruling party, which already holds the governorship. The PDP, which lost the last election, faces further challenges in retaining its remaining loyalists.
Senator Wamakko, a key APC figure in the region, continues to consolidate his influence by attracting former opposition members. The development highlights the fluid nature of Nigerian politics, where party loyalty often takes a backseat to strategic considerations.
