Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
In a significant political development in Sokoto State, Hon. Buhari Haliru, also known as Yariman Wazirin Sokoto and the member representing Sokoto North I in the Sokoto State House of Assembly, has formally resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC). His defection is part of a broader shift by several lawmakers in the state legislature who have abandoned the PDP for other platforms, underscoring growing internal divisions within the party and a realignment ahead of upcoming political contests.
The declaration took place during a resumed plenary session of the Sokoto State House of Assembly after a 32‑day recess. Presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tukur Bala Bodinga, lawmakers gathered to continue legislative business when the announcement of the defections became a major point of discussion. While one lawmaker, Hon. Muhammad Mas’ud of Shagari Constituency, crossed over to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), seven others, including Hon. Buhari Haliru, declared their move to the ADC.
The group that defected to the ADC with Haliru included Hon. Abubakar Magaji representing Bodinga North, Hon. Habibu Halilu Modachi of Isa, Hon. Atiku Liman Gande from Silame, Hon. Awaisu M. Aliyu of Gada West, Hon. Bashar Isah Jabo of Tambuwal East, and Hon. Nasiru Adamu representing Goronyo. These lawmakers cited deepening internal divisions and structural challenges within the PDP at both state and national levels as key reasons for their decision to change political platforms.
According to the official accounts from the Assembly session, the defecting legislators highlighted constitutional provisions that permit such moves, particularly in contexts where internal party strife is deemed to hinder effective representation. Some lawmakers explained that the decision to move to the ADC was taken in what they described as the best interest of their constituents, with hopes that the new affiliation would offer a more stable and responsive political vehicle.
The defections come amid a wider pattern of party realignments across Nigeria’s political landscape as parties and individual politicians position themselves for influence ahead of future elections. In Sokoto in particular, the PDP has struggled with factionalism and leadership disputes, factors that lawmakers referenced in their departure letters and public statements. The shifting loyalties have drawn national attention to the strategic importance of smaller parties like the ADC in Nigeria’s multiparty system.
Hon. Buhari Haliru’s defection is especially noteworthy given his traditional title and standing in Sokoto’s political circles, where he has long been regarded as a key PDP figure. His move to the ADC adds momentum to the party’s ambitions to broaden its base in the northwest and challenge the dominance of Nigeria’s two largest political parties in various legislative arenas.
The Sokoto State House of Assembly members who changed party platforms took the action during plenary, formally submitting resignation letters from the PDP and notifying the Speaker of their new party affiliation. Such defections are permitted under Nigeria’s Constitution, which allows lawmakers to change party affiliation without forfeiting their seats under specific conditions, including credible evidence of crises within their former parties.
Political analysts have described these movements as part of evolving strategic calculations by state legislators responding to the uncertainties within the PDP, which has faced a protracted leadership tussle at the national level and related litigation that has sapped confidence among some members. For lawmakers like Haliru and his colleagues, aligning with the ADC is seen as a way to maintain legislative relevance and offer their constituencies a perceived alternative choice in a highly competitive political environment.
The mass defections have sparked varied reactions among political observers in the state. Supporters of the ADC welcomed the new members, describing the influx as a sign of rising appeal for the party’s platform and organisational growth. Meanwhile, PDP loyalists expressed disappointment, attributing the departures to opportunism and short‑term political calculations rather than grounded ideological shifts.
Within Sokoto’s political context, party defections are not unprecedented, but the scale of the recent shift—seven lawmakers moving to the ADC in a single session—marks a significant moment. It follows a period of intense party competition and jockeying for advantage ahead of the 2027 general elections, where control of state assemblies and legislative influence remains a strategic objective for major and emerging parties alike.
As members formally join the ADC, questions have emerged about the impact of these defections on the balance of power within the Sokoto State House of Assembly and broader political dynamics in the state. While the ruling APC maintains a dominant position in many areas, the growth of smaller parties like the ADC reflects shifting political alliances and the fluid nature of party loyalty in contemporary Nigerian politics.
Hon. Buhari Haliru and his colleagues have pledged to uphold their legislative responsibilities under their new party banner, with commitments to pursue policies and initiatives they believe will benefit their constituents. They have also urged constituents and political stakeholders to remain engaged in the democratic process as the state navigates ongoing political realignments.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, attention will likely focus on how these defections influence future legislative collaboration, party cohesion, and constituency representation in Sokoto State and beyond.
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