Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Major General Aminu Bande, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2023 Kebbi State election, has officially resigned from the party, marking a significant political shift in the state as preparations for the 2027 general elections intensify. His resignation, communicated in a letter dated April 5, 2026, to the Ward Chairman of PDP Nasarawa I in Birnin Kebbi, takes immediate effect. Bande cited extensive consultations with his associates and stakeholders as informing his decision, stating that he sought a platform better aligned with the aspirations of his supporters and the broader interests of Kebbi State and Nigeria.
Bande, a retired army general and prominent figure in Kebbi politics, contested the 2023 governorship election but lost to the incumbent governor, Nasir Idris of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Despite the electoral defeat, he remained a key PDP member at the state level, making his resignation a notable blow to the party’s structure and morale in Kebbi. Analysts view his departure as reflective of ongoing challenges within the PDP, including internal discord and strategic uncertainties ahead of the 2027 elections.
Shortly after resigning, Bande was formally received into the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at the party’s state secretariat in Birnin Kebbi, where he was issued his membership card. The state ADC chairman welcomed him, highlighting that his defection strengthens the party’s profile in Kebbi and signals an opening for more political realignments in the region. Bande emphasized that his move was intended to provide a more stable platform to promote effective governance and align with the collective decision of his supporters.
Political commentators have interpreted Bande’s defection as a strategic repositioning ahead of the next general elections. Observers note that defections of high-profile politicians like Bande often influence voter perceptions and can reshape opposition dynamics in competitive states. His supporters argue that the resignation demonstrates a commitment to governance and representation over party loyalty, while critics suggest it underscores organisational weaknesses within the PDP and the challenges the party faces in retaining key figures.
Bande’s resignation also reflects broader trends in Nigerian politics, where politicians re-evaluate party affiliations to optimise political influence, secure future electoral opportunities, or align with parties perceived as offering better platforms for governance and constituency service. In Kebbi State, historically contested between APC and PDP, Bande’s shift to the ADC introduces a new dynamic in the state’s political landscape, potentially altering opposition strategies and voter alignment ahead of 2027.
While Bande has not announced any specific political ambitions under the ADC banner, political observers anticipate further developments in the coming weeks as he and other realigning actors make strategic moves in preparation for the elections. The PDP, meanwhile, faces the task of consolidating its remaining structures in Kebbi and addressing internal divisions to maintain relevance in the northwest ahead of the national polls.
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