House of Assembly candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Zamfara, Plateau, Taraba and Jigawa states who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) have declared their support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
Special Adviser (Media and Information Strategy) to the APC National Chairman of APC, Abimbola Tooki, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.
As contained in the statement, representatives of the defectors declared their support when they paid a courtesy visit to the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, at the APC National Secretariat, Abuja.
Why ADC candidates declared support for Tinubu
Leader of the delegation, Princess Aslam Aliyu Gambiyar from Zamfara State, stated that the defectors were convinced, beyond all reasonable doubt, that the president was the candidate they believe can take Nigeria to greater heights under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.
She explained that the conviction informed their decision to leave the ADC and work with the APC to ensure that the president secured a second term in office.
Receiving the defectors, the APC National Chairman welcomed them to the party and commended them for placing the broader interests of the country above personal political ambitions.
Yilwatda stated: “We have young people who are joining us in the progressive fold. I am happy that you resigned and presented your resignation letters to your wards. The job now is to go back to your wards and start work.”
He described their decision to relinquish their individual political ambitions in order to support what they consider to be the larger national interest as noteworthy.
This was as he assured them that the APC would provide a platform for them to contribute meaningfully to the party and the country.
Yilwatda also used the occasion to address what he described as some of the narratives being promoted by opposition politicians concerning the Federal Government’s commitment to the development of Northern Nigeria.
He stated the claim that President Tinubu was indifferent to the North was not supported by the scale of ongoing infrastructure projects across the region.
He cited major road projects, including the Abuja–Kano–Maiduguri corridor, which is about 1000 kilometres, the coastal road, Jos–Akwanga, Kwara–Niger, Sokoto–Kebbi, Laila–Sokoto and Kano–Daura roads, among others.
He questioned the call for reversing some of the administration’s economic reforms, particularly the return of fuel subsidy.
According to him, such a policy reversal could have implications for ongoing infrastructure and development programmes.
He asked whether returning to the previous subsidy regime would mean stopping major projects, including road construction, gas-related investments and programmes such as the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
He stressed that the government must remain focused on policies that address poverty and create sustainable economic opportunities.
He further argued that the economic challenges facing the country should be addressed through reforms and development rather than a return to policies that, in his view, contributed to fiscal pressures on governments.
He noted that the ability of state governments to meet their salary obligations had been a major challenge before the current reforms, particularly in the North.
Professor Yilwatda also emphasised the inclusive character of the APC and the Federal Government, particularly in relation to national integration and political participation.
He cited the presence of Nigerians from different parts of the country serving as commissioners, legislators and local government chairmen in Lagos State as an example of political inclusion.
He said the Tinubu administration has demonstrated an approach that accommodated Nigerians across regional and religious lines.
This was as he described the president as a technocrat who came from a religiously tolerant family and has continued to provide opportunities for Nigerians, irrespective of their backgrounds.
Yilwatda assured the defectors that they were joining a large political family where their contributions would be recognised.
He said their decision to join APC would be communicated to President Tinubu, adding that he would also recommend them to the governors in their respective states for appropriate roles in the ongoing mobilisation and grassroots activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
He urged the new members to return to their wards and communities and immediately commence grassroots mobilisation.
This was as he stressed that joining the party was not merely about changing political platforms but about becoming active participants in building the party and supporting its programmes.
