As the race for the 2027 general elections gathers momentum, with recent inauguration of the interim national executive of the African Democratic Party (ADC), some supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties have started moving to the new opposition coalition platform in Borno State.
Notable politicians from the opposition parties, last week unveiled the ADC as the new party for a coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu and his ruling All progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
A video trending in some social media platforms indicated that a former PDP governorship candidate and APC stalwart in Borno State, Mattawali Kashim Ibrahim Imam, had a special dinner at his Maiduguri residence recently, where sources said, the gathering also discussions with many political bigwigs in preparation to join the ADC.
LEADERSHIP recalls that Nigeria’s two main opposition leaders, former presidential candidate of the PDP in 2023 general election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and his Labour Party’s (LP) counterpart, Mr. Peter Obi, have identified with the new political party.
This is even as Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum has dismissed speculation in some sections of the online media that he would lead five other governors in defecting to the opposition coalition party.
Our Borno State correspondent observed that a former governorship aspirant, Idris Mamman Durkwa and a youth mobiliser and stakeholder, Hon. Sheriff Banki, among others, have since taken the lead, as they all dumped the PDP with thousands of their supporters, families and associates for the ADC.
It was also gathered that, Durkwa, a retired federal civil servant-turned politician who stormed Maiduguri last week was leading the massive defections in the state, as many people from different opposition parties including the ruling APC, have started tendering their resignations to their ward chairmen.
Among them include former House Minority Leader and governorship aspirant, Hon. Mohammed Umara Kumalia, who was 2023 Borno Central Senatorial Candidate on the platform of the PDP.
Others include Alhaji Saleh Kida, PDP 2023 deputy governorship candidate; Alhaji Ali Wurge, a former PDP national treasurer; Hon. Abdulrazaq Ahmed Zanna, 2023 PDP candidate for Bama, Ngala, Kala Balge federal constituency and other House of Representative candidates.
Also on the list of early defectors include Hon. Maina Justice, a party leader in Jere local government area; Hon. Fali Wubulari, former lawmaker representing Askira Uba state constituency in the State House of Assembly as well as many former candidates in the opposition parties for state assembly across the 27 local government areas of the state.
Likewise, 2023 Borno North Senatorial candidate, Hon. Isa Lawan Kangar, all ward and local government party executives, opposition party stakeholders with their former party executives at state, local lovernment and ward levels have equally pitched tent with the ADC.
Speaking on the development to our correspondent in Maiduguri, Hon. Banki, said the wave of defection into the ADC was a clear indication of a failed APC under President Tinubu.
Banki also faulted the PDP leadership for allowing the party which was one of the greatest political party in Africa to lose its membership and acceptability due to what he termed selfish interests.
The youth leader specifically accused ‘the Hon. Zanna Gadama-led PDP in Borno State to have been compromised by “the powers that be,” thereby forcing its teaming members to quit.
Banki also attributed the move to what he termed economic hardship and frustration by electorate at the local, state and national levels as well as the worsening insecurity confronting Nigerians.
“I am happy to inform you that the massive defection and resignation by prominent members of the opposition parties including the ruling APC as being witnessed recently in Borno state is a beginning to good things happening in the political industry in the state and the country as a whole.
“Nigerians, especially at the grassroots have been promised Renewed Hope Agenda by President Tinubu, unfortunately, in the last two years into the APC-led government, the reverse is the case, as people no longer sleep with their two eyes closed, despite facing economic hardship due to bad policies and programmes,” Banki stated.
He enjoined the people of the state to join the ADC, assuring that it is the only political party determined to run inclusive democracy and salvage the people.
