A fresh wave of defections has unsettled the political landscape in Jigawa State, as members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have crossed over to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The development came to the fore on Sunday in Dutse, the state capital, where a large crowd of party faithful and political stakeholders gathered to receive a former senator representing Jigawa South-West Senatorial District, Sabo Nakudu, alongside other defectors into the ADC.
Nakudu, a two-term lawmaker and former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) in the 9th Assembly, formally dumped the APC on Friday before completing his defection to the ADC at the well-attended event.
He was received by party leaders amid cheers from supporters drawn from different parts of the state.
Addressing the gathering shortly after receiving his membership card, Nakudu expressed appreciation for the show of support, saying, “I am grateful to my supporters for turning out en masse to receive me into my new party.”
He added, “I promise to work towards a greater Jigawa and the country at large.”
Political observers say the move may signal early positioning ahead of the 2027 governorship race, with sources close to the former senator indicating that he has commenced consultations with key stakeholders across the state.
Also expected to bolster the ADC’s growing profile in Jigawa is Aminu Ringim, a three-time governorship candidate who previously contested under the PDP in 2015 and 2019, and the NNPP in 2023.
Ringim, believed to be an associate of former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, is said to be finalising plans to formally declare for the ADC at a separate event in his hometown.
The event also drew the presence of Senator Ubale Shittu, who represented Jigawa North-East Senatorial District in the 8th National Assembly on the PDP platform before later aligning with the APC.
Welcoming the defectors, the Jigawa State ADC coordinator, Ahmad Gumel, described the influx as a major boost for the party’s structure and prospects in the state.
According to him, the defections reflect “the growing acceptance and popularity of the ADC,” adding that Nakudu’s experience would significantly strengthen the party.
In the same vein, ADC chieftain Bashir Jumbo assured the new members of fairness within the party, stating, “We pledge equal opportunities within the party structure.”
He further urged unity among members, declaring, “We must take over power in 2027 by the grace of God.”
However, the defections have been dismissed by opposition parties in the state.
The PDP Public Relations Officer, Umar Kyari, downplayed the development, insisting that it did not affect the party’s core structure.
“They’re just a group of political jokers seeking relevance,” he said in a telephone interview, challenging the ADC to prove its strength at the polls.
“If they want to test their power, come out and contest — we’ll show them what politics is.”
Similarly, the APC spokesperson in Jigawa, Bashir Kundu, described the defectors as individuals driven by personal ambition rather than public interest.
“They’re chasing personal interests, not the public good,” he said, expressing confidence that the administration of Governor Umar Namadi would continue to attract wider support.
“In politics, you relate with anyone and can be left by anyone,” he added.
Efforts to get the reaction of the NNPP were unsuccessful, as calls to known contacts of party officials could not be completed as of the time of filing this report.