Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
In a major political realignment that has sent shockwaves through Kebbi State's political landscape, more than 60,000 members and supporters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Jega Local Government Area have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The mass defection, which took place on Monday, 6 July 2026, at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi, was formally received by Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, in a ceremony that underscored the ruling party's growing dominance in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The defectors, including party executives and grassroots mobilisers from Jega LGA, cited the developmental achievements of Governor Nasir Idris and the purposeful leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the primary reasons for their decision to abandon the ADC. According to a statement signed by the Governor's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yahaya Sarki, the mass defection is a testament to the growing confidence in the APC's ability to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of Kebbi State.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, the former ADC Coordinator in Jega LGA and former House of Representatives aspirant for the Aliero/Gwandu/Jega Federal Constituency, Alhaji Aminu Mustapha, said the decision to leave the ADC was informed by the remarkable achievements recorded by Governor Idris and President Tinubu. "Our decision to join the APC was informed by the remarkable achievements of Governor Nasir Idris and the purposeful leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu," Mustapha declared. He added that the APC had shown commitment to the welfare of Nigerians and remained a party with strong grassroots support across the country.
Other representatives of the defectors also praised the governor's leadership and development projects, pledging their loyalty to the APC and promising to work tirelessly for the party's success in the upcoming elections. The defection is expected to significantly reshape the political dynamics in Kebbi State, particularly in Jega LGA, where the ADC had previously maintained a strong presence.
In his response, Governor Idris thanked the new members for joining the APC and assured them of equal treatment with existing party members. "I assure you of equal treatment, just as every other member of the party enjoys. I also urge you to work diligently for the victory of our great party in the 2027 general elections," the governor said. He emphasised that the defectors would enjoy the same rights, opportunities, and privileges as every other APC member, while urging them to remain united and work towards the party's success.
Governor Idris also highlighted his administration's achievements in education, healthcare, agriculture, water supply, rural development, road construction, and youth and women empowerment. He said his government would continue to provide the dividends of democracy to the people of Kebbi State, assuring the new entrants that they had made the right decision.
The mass defection comes just weeks after the ADC suffered another significant blow when Aslam Aliyu, a longtime ally of the party's presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, defected to the APC. Aliyu, who had spent nearly two decades in Atiku's political camp, had criticised the ADC for lacking a concrete rescue plan for Nigeria. Her departure, coupled with the loss of over 60,000 supporters in Kebbi, has raised serious questions about the opposition's ability to mount a credible challenge to the ruling party in 2027.
The event was attended by the acting APC state chairman, members of the State Executive Council, party leaders, and other stakeholders, underscoring the significance the ruling party places on the defection. The APC in Kebbi State has now grown significantly in a local government area where the numbers will matter when votes are counted in the 2027 general elections.
For the ADC, the loss of over 60,000 members in a single local government area represents a major setback, particularly as the party seeks to position itself as a viable alternative to the APC. The defection also highlights the challenges facing opposition parties in Nigeria, where the ruling party's control of state resources and its ability to deliver infrastructure projects often serve as powerful incentives for political realignment.
As the 2027 elections draw nearer, the political landscape in Kebbi State is likely to see further realignments, with both the APC and opposition parties jostling for position. The mass defection of ADC members to the APC in Jega LGA is a clear indication that the ruling party is consolidating its grip on the state, while the opposition faces an uphill battle to regain lost ground. For Governor Idris and President Tinubu, the defection is a validation of their governance approach and a boost to their re-election prospects.
The people of Kebbi State, meanwhile, will be watching closely to see whether the promises of equal treatment and continued development will translate into tangible benefits for the new APC members. As one of the defectors put it, the decision was made in the best interest of the people of Kebbi State, and the belief that the APC genuinely prioritises the welfare of the masses. The coming months will reveal whether that belief is justified.
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