Several former candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
The former ADC candidates, led by Princess Aslam Aliyu, popularly known as Gimbiyar Kauran Namoda, announced their decision when they visited the APC National Secretariat in Abuja on Monday.
They were received by the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Hon. Mohammed Hassan said their decision was aimed at contributing to national development and supporting the Tinubu administration’s 2027 agenda.
“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,” Hassan said.
He appealed to the APC leadership to give the new entrants opportunities to contribute to party activities and mobilise support in their communities.
Responding, Yilwatda welcomed the former ADC candidates, describing their decision to abandon their political contests and join the APC as a sacrifice in what he described as the national interest.
“I’m happy that you have joined us in this progressive movement for 2027 and beyond,” he said.
The APC chairman directed the new members to complete their resignation from the ADC at the ward level before registering as APC members in their respective wards.
Yilwatda also defended the Tinubu administration against allegations that it had neglected Northern Nigeria, citing ongoing road and infrastructure projects across the region.
He listed the Abuja-Kano and Kano-Maiduguri corridors among major projects, as well as road projects linking Abuja with Lokoja, Benue and Akwanga, Jos-Akwanga, Kwara-Mokwa-Niger and several routes across the North.
The APC chairman also defended the administration’s economic policies, including gas development, fertiliser availability, compressed natural gas (CNG) and the student loan programme.
On fuel subsidy, Yilwatda questioned how critics proposing its return would finance the policy, while arguing that the resources available to government should be channelled into infrastructure and other development programmes.
He urged the new APC members to return to their respective states and local government areas and participate in grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Elections are won at the polling units,” Yilwatda said.
He formally welcomed the former ADC candidates into the APC on behalf of the party’s National Working Committee and its members nationwide.
