The All Progressives Congress (APC) has received former candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) who withdrew from various State House of Assembly races in the North and defected to the ruling party. The defectors, led by Princess Aslam Aliyu, popularly known as Gimbiyar Kauran Namoda, were welcomed by APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda. Mohammed Hassan, an ADC candidate from Zamfara State, delivered the delegation's remarks, stating that the defectors joined the APC for a bigger purpose and to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda in 2027.
Yilwatda warned that any attempt to reintroduce fuel subsidy would cripple the North and halt ongoing road, gas, and fertiliser projects. He questioned how the opposition would fund its promise to restore fuel subsidy, citing the potential suspension of ongoing road projects due to lack of funds. Yilwatda pointed out that several major road projects were ongoing across Northern Nigeria, including the Abuja-Kano and Kano-Maiduguri corridors, as well as roads linking Jos to Akwanga, Sokoto to Kebbi, Kano to Daura, and Zaria to Danja.
The APC chairman also highlighted the benefits of the current administration's policies, including the distribution of fertiliser and the implementation of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) project, which aims to make transportation easier for vulnerable people. He noted that the student loan scheme, which has benefited many northerners, would also be affected if the subsidy is reintroduced. Yilwatda expressed concerns that reintroducing fuel subsidy would lead to increased poverty in the North and other parts of Nigeria.
Yilwatda assured the defectors of full integration into the APC and urged them to return to their respective states and local governments to mobilise support for the party ahead of the 2027 elections. He advised them to focus on strengthening their polling units, stressing that elections are ultimately decided at the polling-unit level. The defectors, according to Hassan, are committed to working and contributing to the party's success.
The development comes as the Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has pledged to restore fuel subsidy if elected in 2027. Atiku had also campaigned in 2023 on removing the subsidy, but has since changed his stance, citing the need to cushion the effects of its removal on Nigerians. The APC-led Federal Government has maintained that the decision to remove fuel subsidy has brought significant economic gains.
President Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy during his inauguration on May 29, 2023, implementing one of his major campaign promises. The policy triggered increases in the cost of goods and services, but the government has argued that it has also led to significant economic benefits. The debate over fuel subsidy reintroduction has become a major issue in the run-up to the 2027 elections.
The APC's Yilwatda has assured Nigerians that the party remains committed to its Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to drive development and economic growth across the country. He urged Nigerians to support the party's efforts to consolidate on the gains of the current administration. The defection of the former ADC candidates is seen as a boost to the APC's efforts to strengthen its presence in the North.
Key points
- The reintroduction of fuel subsidy would halt ongoing development projects in Northern Nigeria, including road construction and fertiliser distribution.
- The APC-led Federal Government has maintained that the removal of fuel subsidy has brought significant economic gains.
- Former ADC candidates defected to the APC, citing concerns over fuel subsidy reintroduction and its potential impact on Northern Nigeria's development projects.
