BIRNIN KEBBI – The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State recorded a major political boost on Tuesday as top leaders and members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from the seven local government areas of Kebbi South defected to the ruling party.
The mass defection dealt a setback to the camp of ADC senatorial candidate, Senator Garba Musa Maidoki, as the defectors declared support for Governor Nasir Idris’ re-election bid in 2027.
Among those who joined the APC were executive committee members of the ADC in Yauri, Shanga and Ngaski Local Government Areas, coordinators of the party’s senatorial campaign in Zuru, Sakaba, Fakai and Danko/Wasagu councils, as well as the ADC House of Representatives candidate for Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski Federal Constituency, Engr. Sa’adu Salihu Yauri.
Presenting the defectors at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi, the group’s leader said they dumped the ADC because of what they described as a lack of credibility, sincerity and purposeful leadership within the party in the state.
They pledged total loyalty to the APC and vowed to work for the re-election of Governor Nasir Idris in the 2027 governorship election.
Speaking on behalf of the Zuru Emirate defectors, Alhaji Bello Doya disclosed that all coordinators working for Senator Garba Musa Maidoki in the emirate had resigned from the ADC.
He alleged that despite Maidoki’s emergence as the ADC senatorial candidate after leaving the APC, the lawmaker had failed to meet the expectations of the people of Kebbi South.
Doya said Governor Idris’ developmental projects in Zuru Emirate, including the reconstruction of the Koko-Zuru Road, establishment of a mega secondary school and the renovation and construction of healthcare centres across several communities, convinced them to support his second-term ambition.
He also praised the governor’s leadership style, describing him as fair, just and committed to the development of all communities in the emirate.
Receiving the defectors, Governor Nasir Idris, alongside the Acting Chairman of the APC in Kebbi State, Adamu Mudi Augie, welcomed them into the party and assured them of equal rights and opportunities.
The governor urged the new members to remain united and work together to strengthen the APC ahead of future elections.
The APC described the mass defection as a clear endorsement of Governor Idris’ people-oriented programmes and development initiatives across Kebbi State.
