Former Adamawa Speaker Walks Away From APC After Primary Election Fallout

The Adamawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has suffered another high-profile defection, with former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Kabiru Mijinyawa, quitting the party over the conduct of its recent primary election.

Mijinyawa, who represents Yola South State Constituency in the Assembly, announced his resignation in a letter dated September 13, citing concerns over fairness, transparency and internal democracy within the party.

The former Speaker also moved to the Action Peoples Movement (APM), reportedly taking thousands of supporters with him. His departure came only days after another group of APC chieftains led by former PDP chairman Tahir Shehu defected to the same platform, adding to signs of growing discontent within the ruling party in Adamawa.

Mijinyawa’s immediate grievance centres on the APC primary conducted in his constituency. In his resignation letter, he said the process lacked the credibility and fairness required of a democratic contest and that he could no longer associate with a process he considered inconsistent with internal democratic principles.

The defection carries added political weight because Mijinyawa is not a first-time contender in Adamawa politics. He has represented Yola South in the State House of Assembly since 2011 and previously served as Speaker from 2015 to 2019.

His decision therefore creates a new challenge for the APC in a constituency where he has built a political network over several election cycles.

The timing is also significant. Adamawa politics is already experiencing considerable movement ahead of the 2027 general elections, with disputes over candidate selection and defections reshaping relationships within the major parties.

The APM stands to benefit from Mijinyawa’s experience and grassroots connections, particularly in Yola South. His arrival also gives the party another prominent political figure at a time when it is attempting to expand its presence beyond its existing base.

For the APC, the latest departure raises questions about how effectively the party can manage internal grievances before the 2027 campaign intensifies.

The party has played down the significance of recent defections. Its Adamawa publicity secretary, Dogo Victor, described the movement as “political tourism” and maintained that the APC retains a strong grassroots structure in the state.

That confidence will now face a practical test.

Its Adamawa publicity secretary, Dogo Victor, described the movement as “political tourism”, arguing that the party’s grassroots structure remains intact across the state.

Mijinyawa’s departure nevertheless gives the APM a notable foothold in Yola South and adds another variable to Adamawa’s 2027 political equation. Whether his exit remains an isolated defection or becomes the start of a wider realignment could prove decisive when Adamawa’s political battle for 2027 moves from party rooms to the ballot box.