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Sokoto: 2023 PDP governorship candidate defects to APC

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Sokoto: 2023 PDP governorship candidate defects to APC

Sokoto: 2023 PDP governorship candidate defects to APC

The 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Malam Sa’idu Umar Ubandoma, has officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), attributing his decision to the leadership of Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko and the performance of Governor Ahmed Aliyu.

The high-profile defection is widely seen as a significant boost for the APC in Sokoto and another major political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections, as parties continue to reposition themselves across the country.

Ubandoma, a former Commissioner for Finance and Secretary to the Sokoto State Government under former Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, was formally received into the APC by Senator Wamakko at his residence in Asokoro, Abuja.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by Wamakko’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Bashar Abubakar.

Welcoming the former opposition governorship candidate into the APC, Wamakko described the defection as evidence of the party’s growing acceptance among political stakeholders and residents of Sokoto State.

According to the former governor, the decision by prominent political figures to join the APC reflects increasing confidence in the party’s leadership and commitment to the development of the state.

“This defection is a significant boost to our party and a clear demonstration of the confidence that political leaders continue to have in the APC’s leadership and development agenda,” Wamakko said.
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He assured Ubandoma and his supporters of fairness, inclusion and equal opportunities within the ruling party, stressing that the APC remains open to every citizen committed to promoting peace, unity and sustainable development in Sokoto State.

“The APC is a home for all well-meaning citizens who are genuinely committed to the unity, peace and development of Sokoto State. You and your supporters will enjoy a warm reception and equal opportunities within the party,” he added.

Explaining why he left the PDP, Ubandoma said he was impressed by Senator Wamakko’s political maturity, inclusive leadership style and the developmental projects being executed by Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration.

According to him, the government’s investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, rural development and social welfare have demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of residents across the state.

“I was inspired by the quality of leadership and political maturity demonstrated by Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, as well as the remarkable performance of Governor Ahmed Aliyu in delivering people-oriented projects across Sokoto State,” he said.

Ubandoma maintained that the administration’s achievements across key sectors convinced him that the APC offers the most credible platform to sustain development, economic growth and prosperity in Sokoto State.

“The achievements recorded across critical sectors convinced me that the APC remains the most credible platform to sustain the development and prosperity of Sokoto State,” he stated.

Ubandoma contested the 2023 Sokoto State governorship election on the platform of the PDP before later aligning with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following internal disagreements within the opposition party. He is regarded as one of the prominent political associates of former Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, making his latest move one of the most notable political developments in the state in recent months.

Political observers believe the defection could strengthen the APC’s influence in Sokoto ahead of the 2027 elections while further weakening the opposition’s political structure in the state.

The development also reflects the growing wave of defections and political realignments across Nigeria, with several politicians changing party affiliations as preparations gradually gather momentum for the next electoral cycle.

Analysts say such movements are expected to shape alliances, determine party strategies and influence electoral calculations as political parties intensify efforts to consolidate their support base before the 2027 general elections.

Sokoto: 2023 PDP governorship candidate defects to APC

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2027: Ajaero Questions Tinubu, Atiku, Obi’s Economic Approach, Highlights Adebayo’s Ideas

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2027: Ajaero Questions Tinubu, Atiku, Obi’s Economic Approach, Highlights Adebayo’s Ideas
President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero

2027: Ajaero Questions Tinubu, Atiku, Obi’s Economic Approach, Highlights Adebayo’s Ideas

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has questioned the economic positions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, while saying the ideas of Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo deserve serious attention ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Ajaero made the comments during an interview with Seun Okinbaloye on Mic On, where he was asked about the economic policies of Atiku and other leading figures in the 2027 race.

Rather than focusing solely on Atiku’s economic proposals, the NLC president highlighted the positions of Adebayo and Accord Party presidential candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, saying he had examined their ideas and was willing to listen to them.

“I have looked at Gbenga Hashim’s position and I think he’s an expert to an extent. I also looked at Adebayo. I may listen to them,” Ajaero said.

He subsequently contrasted the economic approaches of Adebayo and Olawepo-Hashim with those of Tinubu, Atiku and Obi.

“Peter Obi, Atiku and Asiwaju, they all have the same position and they have shown that they are market people from far right,” he said.

Ajaero’s remarks have drawn attention to the economic debate ahead of the 2027 election, particularly as issues such as inflation, fuel prices, electricity costs, unemployment, wages and declining purchasing power remain major concerns for Nigerians.

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Adebayo, who is contesting the 2027 presidency on the SDP platform, has built his campaign around social democracy, increased domestic production, job creation and a stronger role for government in providing public services and expanding economic opportunities.

The SDP candidate has also made energy reform a major part of his campaign, arguing that high energy costs and inadequate electricity supply continue to constrain households, businesses and industrial production.

His policy blueprint, Farewell to Poverty and Insecurity: Governance & Accelerated Development — Blueprint of a New Nigeria, 2027–2031, proposes mechanisms for monitoring government performance through measurable targets, periodic assessments and implementation milestones.

Adebayo has also advocated greater emphasis on domestic production, with the argument that Nigeria must reduce its dependence on imports and foreign exchange while strengthening local industries and productive capacity.

Olawepo-Hashim, whom Ajaero also mentioned, has similarly made energy and industrialisation central to his economic programme. His proposed Energy First agenda focuses on increasing domestic energy production, expanding refining capacity and reducing energy costs.

Ajaero’s comments do not amount to a formal endorsement of Adebayo or Olawepo-Hashim for the 2027 presidential election. Rather, the NLC president said their economic proposals were sufficiently different from those of the politicians he discussed to warrant further engagement.

The intervention comes as political parties and presidential candidates increasingly position their economic policies at the centre of the 2027 campaign, with competing proposals on fuel pricing, taxation, electricity, wages, industrialisation, employment and social protection.

For the NLC, which represents organised labour and has been at the forefront of debates over wages and the impact of economic reforms on workers, the direction of the next administration’s economic policy is expected to remain a major issue ahead of the election.

With the 2027 political contest gathering momentum, the competing economic visions of the presidential candidates are likely to face increased scrutiny from organised labour, businesses and voters as parties intensify their campaigns.

2027: Ajaero Questions Tinubu, Atiku, Obi’s Economic Approach, Highlights Adebayo’s Ideas

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2027: Soludo Govt Accuses Peter Obi Of Plot To Destroy APGA

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2027: Soludo Govt Accuses Peter Obi Of Plot To Destroy APGA

2027: Soludo Govt Accuses Peter Obi Of Plot To Destroy APGA

The Anambra State Government has declared former governor Peter Obi and his Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) a threat to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) ahead of the 2027 presidential election, urging APGA supporters to resist the opposition party.

The state government made the declaration in a message issued through its New Media office on Monday, accusing Obi of working to weaken the party that gave him the platform to become governor of Anambra.

The government described its message as a “betrayal alert” to APGA supporters, alleging that Obi had been seeking to undermine the party since leaving it in 2014.

It urged party members in the state not to be swayed by Obi’s current political influence, arguing that APGA remained the political platform responsible for his emergence as governor.

The government said, “Since 2014, Obi has had one mission: to destroy the party that made him,” while calling on APGA members to defend the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

The development comes amid an increasingly tense political relationship between Obi and the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

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Obi governed Anambra from 2006 to 2014 on the APGA platform before leaving the party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He later joined the Labour Party, under which he contested the 2023 presidential election, before becoming the presidential candidate of the NDC ahead of the 2027 election.

The former governor remains an influential political figure in the South-East, particularly in Anambra, where his 2023 presidential campaign recorded strong support.

The Anambra government’s latest position also comes against the backdrop of APGA’s alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The state government has previously defended its relationship with the President and maintained that supporting Tinubu does not conflict with APGA’s interests.

However, Obi’s emergence as the NDC presidential candidate has created a new political challenge for APGA, particularly because of his longstanding influence among voters in Anambra and the wider South-East.

The NDC has rejected the allegations against Obi, accusing the Soludo administration of attacking the former governor because of concerns about his popularity.

NDC Director of New Media and Strategic Communications, Theo Abu Agada, described the state government’s position as political blackmail and maintained that the party was confident of its prospects in the 2027 election.

The latest exchange has further widened the political divide between the camps of Peter Obi and Chukwuma Soludo, with both sides increasingly positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.

For APGA, the emergence of Obi and the NDC presents a particularly sensitive political challenge because of the former governor’s history with the party and his continued influence in Anambra.

The 2027 election is therefore expected to produce a major political contest in the state, with APGA seeking to retain its influence while Obi’s NDC attempts to convert his personal support base into wider electoral backing.

2027: Soludo Govt Accuses Peter Obi Of Plot To Destroy APGA

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Nine Zamfara Lawmakers Dump APC for ADC Ahead of 2027

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Nine Zamfara Lawmakers Dump APC for ADC Ahead of 2027

Nine Zamfara Lawmakers Dump APC for ADC Ahead of 2027

Nine members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have left the All Progressives Congress (APC) and defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The lawmakers cited concerns over insecurity, internal party divisions and what they described as inadequate attention to the welfare of residents and their constituents as reasons for their decision.

The lawmakers are Aliyu Ango Kagara, representing Talata Mafara South; Muktar Nasir, representing Kaura Namoda North; Faruk Dosara Musa, representing Maradun I; Basiru Bello, representing Bungudu West; Bashir A. Masama, representing Bukkuyum North; Ibrahim T. Tukur, representing Bakura; Nasiru Abdullahi, representing Maru North; Yusuf Muhammad Anka, representing Anka; and Bashar Aliyu, representing Gummi I.

Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, Kagara said their concerns about the security situation in Zamfara had contributed to disagreements with the state government.

He said the lawmakers had raised the issue of insecurity on the floor of the Assembly, but that their position led to disagreements with Governor Dauda Lawal and their subsequent suspension.

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Kagara also alleged that joining the APC did not resolve their grievances, claiming that some party leaders failed to give them what they considered a fair hearing.

Earlier, some of the lawmakers announced their resignation from the APC in separate letters dated October 4, 2026.

In the letters, the lawmakers cited issues including insecurity, alleged injustice, internal divisions, uncertainty and concerns about governance.

One of the lawmakers also alleged that members of the Assembly had gone about 32 months without receiving salaries, allowances and other entitlements.

The claims about unpaid entitlements and other grievances are allegations by the affected lawmakers and have not been independently established in the reports.

The APC in Zamfara initially said it had not received official copies of the resignation letters. The party’s publicity secretary, Ibrahim Birnin-Magaji, said the documents had been seen on social media and that the party was awaiting formal communication through the appropriate party structures.

The defection represents a significant political realignment in Zamfara ahead of the 2027 elections, with the movement of the lawmakers potentially affecting the political balance within the state legislature.

Nine Zamfara Lawmakers Dump APC for ADC Ahead of 2027

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