The African Democratic Congress has disowned former State House of Assembly candidates who defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress on Monday. The National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, stated this on his X handle. Abdullahi dismissed the defection as a political stunt, saying the APC cannot assemble random individuals at its secretariat, confer imaginary ADC credentials on them and then announce their defection.
The defection was made at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja, where former ADC Assembly candidates were received by the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda. The ex-ADC State Assembly candidates, led by Princess Aslam Aliyu, disclosed that they left their former party for the ruling APC because of the strides of the President Bola Tinubu administration. They declared support for the re-election of President Tinubu at the 2027 general election.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Hon. Mohammed Hassan from Zamfara appealed for equal opportunities in the party. He stressed that they were moved by the giant strides of the Tinubu administration to join the APC and work for his re-election to sustain the gains recorded. Hassan requested the National Chairman and the entire leadership to receive them as brothers and partners.
The APC National Chairman, Yilwatda, assured the defectors of accommodation within the party. He appreciated them for keeping faith with it and the government of President Tinubu. Yilwatda said they were welcome to the party and the family, and that he would recommend them back to their governors, local government, and ward.
Yilwatda said contrary to the campaign of calumny by the opposition, the Tinubu administration has done a lot in Northern Nigeria. He mentioned infrastructural development and general empowerment, adding that the region is the greatest beneficiary of the student loans. According to him, President Tinubu remains the most pan-Nigerian candidate who has religious tolerance and political inclusivity.
The ADC's National Publicity Secretary, Abdullahi, reiterated that the party does not recognize the defectors as its members. He said, “These people are not our candidates.” Abdullahi's statement indicates that the ADC is not willing to claim responsibility for the actions of the defectors.
The defection of the former ADC Assembly candidates to the APC has sparked reactions from various quarters. While the APC is celebrating the new members, the ADC is distancing itself from the defectors. The development highlights the ongoing dynamics in Nigeria's political landscape, with parties seeking to strengthen their ranks and alliances.
Key points
- The African Democratic Congress disowns former State House of Assembly candidates who defected to the All Progressives Congress.
- The defectors cited the strides of the President Bola Tinubu administration as the reason for their defection.
- The APC National Chairman assured the defectors of accommodation within the party.
