Alhaji Abdulkadir Hamma Saleh, a former governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State, has officially resigned from the opposition party and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The move, announced on 17 October 2026, comes as political realignments intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Defection Announcement and Call to Supporters
Hamma Saleh made his defection public through a press release distributed to journalists in Gombe. In the statement, he called on his supporters across the state to follow him into the APC and back the party's candidates at all levels of government. His exit is considered a notable development given his previous role in the dispute over the PDP governorship ticket.
The former aspirant had earlier contested the PDP governorship ticket against Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy. That primary race was marked by controversy, with Pantami's initial victory challenged in court before a fresh primary was conducted.
Impact on Gombe's Political Landscape
Hamma Saleh's departure adds fresh pressure on the PDP in Gombe State, which is already working through internal challenges as parties firm up their positions ahead of next year's polls. By joining the APC, he signals a clear intention to align with the ruling party's electoral structure in the state, urging his base to rally behind the APC rather than continue within the opposition.
The defection is part of a broader wave of political realignments taking shape across several states as the 2027 electoral cycle draws closer. Political observers note that such moves are common in the pre-election period, as parties consolidate their strengths and address internal grievances.
Context of Recent Defections
In a related development, Legit.ng earlier reported that former Ekiti Commissioner for Works, Mrs Funmilayo Ogun, officially defected from the PDP to the APC at a ceremony in Orin-Ekiti. Ogun cited dissatisfaction with the PDP's direction and Governor Biodun Oyebanji's record as reasons for her decision to switch parties. APC leaders in Ido/Osi Local Government Area received Ogun alongside other defectors, pledging equal rights for all new members.
These defections highlight the ongoing political fluidity in Nigeria's party system as the 2027 elections approach. For Gombe State, Hamma Saleh's move is expected to influence the dynamics of the upcoming governorship race, as the APC seeks to consolidate its position and the PDP works to retain its remaining loyalists.
