Several former House of Assembly candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from four states have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and declared their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term in 2027.


The former ADC candidates are from Zamfara, Plateau, Taraba and Jigawa states. The group, led by Princess Aslam Aliyu of Zamfara State, formally announced the move during a visit to the APC national secretariat in Abuja on Monday.


They were received by Nentawe Yilwatda, APC national chairman.


Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Mohammed Hassan of Zamfara said their decision was motivated by their desire to participate in what they described as the next phase of national development.
Hassan mentioned that the group was not joining the APC simply to change political platforms but intended to contribute to the party’s activities and support Tinubu’s 2027 campaign.


Hassan mentioned that the group was not joining the APC simply to change political platforms but intended to contribute to the party’s activities and support Tinubu’s 2027 campaign.

He appealed to the APC leadership to accommodate the new members and give them opportunities to contribute to the party at the grassroots.


“Our commitment remains clear: to support the party, mobilise our people, promote development and services to Nigeria with sincerity and dedication,” Hassan said.


Yilwatda welcomed the former ADC candidates and described their decision to withdraw from their previous political contests and join the APC as significant.


The APC chairman said the new members would be integrated into the party’s structures and encouraged them to return to their respective wards and begin grassroots mobilisation.


He said the defectors would be recommended to governors and party structures in their states for participation in mobilisation activities.


Yilwatda also used the occasion to defend the Tinubu administration against criticisms that it had neglected Northern Nigeria.


He cited several infrastructure projects across the region, including the Abuja-Kano-Maiduguri corridor, Jos-Akwanga road, Kwara-Niger road, Sokoto-Kebbi road and Kano-Daura road.


The APC chairman also defended the Federal Government’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy. He argued that reversing the subsidy policy could affect government spending on infrastructure and social programmes, including the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.


Yilwatda further highlighted government interventions that he said had benefited Nigerians in different parts of the country.


The APC chairman also described the party as an inclusive political platform, pointing to the participation of people from different regions and religious backgrounds within its structures.


The former ADC candidates’ defection comes as political parties and politicians intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The move adds to a series of defections and political realignments involving opposition figures and candidates ahead of the next general election.


The move adds to a series of defections and political realignments involving opposition figures and candidates ahead of the next general election.


Earlier in September, the APC said it was prepared to receive thousands of new members from the ADC, Peoples Democratic Party and Nigeria Democratic Congress.