No fewer than 573 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jigawa State have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in what appears to be a calculated political shift ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The defectors, drawn from Sabuwar Dan Masara town in Dutse Local Government Area, were formally received by PDP leaders during a low-key ceremony held last Friday.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Mustapha Adamu (popularly known as Shugaba) said their decision to dump the ruling APC was due to “growing hardship, lack of fairness and broken promises” by the party at both state and national levels.
“We can no longer continue with a party that has abandoned the people. The APC has ignored our suffering and failed to deliver what it promised,” Adamu said.
He described the PDP as a more promising alternative and encouraged other APC members to “look beyond party loyalty and join hands for meaningful change”.
“Our decision is not just political, it is personal. We want a party that listens. The PDP has shown signs of inclusiveness and a better plan for ordinary Nigerians. That is why we are moving,” he added.
Jigawa PDP Deputy Chairman, Umar Danjani, who received the new members, said their entry was a “clear sign that the PDP is gaining ground again in the North”.
“Today’s defection is not just about numbers. It’s about trust. These are people who have tested both parties and made their choice based on lived experience,” Danjani said.
