‘APC Cheated, Betrayed Us’ — Kebbi Senator Maidoki Explains Defection To ADC

The Senator representing Kebbi South Senatorial District, Garba Musa Maidoki, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of betraying loyal party members and undermining democratic principles, following his defection to the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Maidoki made the remarks on Tuesday while addressing journalists shortly after formally announcing his exit from the ruling party.

Recall that his defection letter was earlier read on the floor of the Senate during plenary, where he cited unresolved internal disputes within the APC and growing dissatisfaction with the party’s leadership.

“I am writing to inform the President of the Senate and my distinguished colleagues of my defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC),” the lawmaker stated in the letter.

Speaking afterwards, Maidoki said his decision was driven by what he described as the erosion of internal democracy within the APC and the growing influence of political godfathers in determining electoral outcomes.

“What they call primaries and consensus is not limited to the APC alone. In almost all political parties, it is an arrangement where kingmakers put their stooges in positions to the detriment of ordinary Nigerians,” he said.

According to the Senator, the APC’s candidate selection process in Kebbi State was controlled by powerful interests who imposed preferred candidates while shutting out other aspirants.

“Only loyalists and stooges were given tickets. All efforts to make Nigerians see democracy at work were frustrated. It was just a charade,” he said.

Expressing disappointment over the development, Maidoki said many party members felt abandoned despite their commitment to strengthening democracy.

“We felt betrayed. We felt betrayed that, despite our best efforts to make democracy work in this country, unfortunately, democracy in Nigeria is in a very comatose state,” he stated.

The lawmaker disclosed that his move to the ADC was facilitated by the party’s initial candidate, who voluntarily stepped aside to allow him to contest on the platform.

“The person who won the ADC nomination called me and said, ‘Oga, I know they will not give you a ticket. Come, I will surrender my ticket to you.’ I was touched by that magnanimity,” he said.

Maidoki maintained that his political strength lies with ordinary people rather than political elites, insisting that he remained firmly connected to the grassroots.

“I am with my people. I am with the grassroots. I am not with people who wear babanriga and collect money in the name of politics,” he said.

He also pointed to low voter turnout in a recent by-election in Kebbi State as evidence of growing public disillusionment with the political system.

“In my constituency, we have about 80,000 registered voters, but only 4,000 people came out to vote. My people are with me. We have no doubt about that,” he stated.

Maidoki further renewed concerns about insecurity in Kebbi South, saying his efforts to draw attention to bandit attacks in the area were wrongly interpreted as political opposition to the state government.

“My people sent me to the Senate to cry out that bandits are killing us, and I cried. Suddenly, the governor thought I was fighting him. I have never fought the governor. All I want is for the dividends of democracy to reach my people,” he said.

The lawmaker added that he would continue to advocate for his constituents and pursue his political ambitions under the ADC platform, expressing confidence that voters would ultimately decide their future through the ballot box.