Former House of Assembly candidates who contested under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Jigawa, Plateau, Taraba and Zamfara states have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The defectors, led by Princess Aslam Aliyu (Gimbiyar Kauran Namoda) and represented by Hon. Mohammed Hassan of Zamfara State, submitted their resignation letters to the APC leadership at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja on Monday.
They said they were joining the APC to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and its agenda ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Hassan said the decision followed a desire to contribute to national development and serve their communities.
‘We are not here merely to change the political platform, but to begin a new chapter of service and a great contribution to our people by supporting Baba Tinubu to a Renewed Agenda 2027, Inshallah,’ he said.
Hassan appealed to the APC leadership to accept the defectors and provide them with an opportunity to contribute to the party’s activities.
‘Our commitment remains clear: to support the party, mobilise our people, promote development, and render service to Nigeria with sincerity and dedication,’ he said.
Receiving the defectors, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, welcomed their decision and noted that they had withdrawn from their previous political ambitions before joining the party.
‘We receive you especially because of the significance of your coming as candidates who voluntarily left the contest and withdrew from their ambition; abandoned their ambition for the overall interest of the nation,’ Yilwatda said.
He urged the new members to register in their respective wards and participate in the party’s grassroots activities.
Yilwatda also highlighted federal government projects and social intervention programmes in northern Nigeria, citing road projects, compressed natural gas (CNG), fertiliser and gas distribution, civil service salary support and the student loan scheme.
He said the student loan programme had benefited many students in northern Nigeria and questioned calls by opposition politicians to reverse some federal government policies.
‘The beneficiaries of the student loan-most of them are from the North. We have more of them in this part of the country. Should we stop it?’ he asked.
Yilwatda said the defectors should participate in the party’s campaign activities at ward and polling-unit levels ahead of the 2027 elections.
‘Follow the campaign train in your own ward, in your own polling unit, because all elections are won at the polling units,’ he said.
He welcomed the former ADC candidates to the APC and assured them of opportunities to participate in the party’s activities.