Dutse, April 19, 2026
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jigawa State, has rejected widespread media reports alleging mass defections and internal crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing them as misleading and politically motivated.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Hamisu Mohammed Gumel, the party accused unnamed opposition elements and “third-columnists” of orchestrating a campaign to portray the APC as weakened.
The statement maintained that claims of large-scale defections to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) were fabricated to misinform the public and undermine the party’s credibility.
According to the statement, Jigawa APC remains “stronger than ever,” citing a steady influx of defectors from opposition parties, particularly the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
It added that thousands of new members have joined the ruling party since the inception of the current administration under Governor Umar Namadi.
The government attributed this trend to its inclusive governance model, which it said prioritises development across political and regional divides.
Central to this approach is the Citizens Engagement Programme, locally known as Gwamnati Da Jama’a, through which the governor toured all 27 local government areas to present scorecards and gather public input.
The initiative, the statement noted, not only strengthened transparency and accountability but also influenced the formulation of the 2026 budget, incorporating citizens’ feedback into fiscal planning.
It further claimed that the programme triggered significant political shifts, with over 10,000 opposition members defecting to the APC during the exercise.
Among notable defections highlighted were key political figures and grassroots mobilisers across the state, including former PDP financiers, party executives, and local government stakeholders.
The statement also referenced a major political rally held on October 12, 2025, in Dutse, where more than 66,000 defectors were formally received into the APC.
The event, attended by national party leaders including APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, was described as one of the largest political gatherings in Jigawa’s recent history.
While acknowledging that a few members had left the party, the APC downplayed their significance, stating that fewer than twenty notable individuals had defected, mostly due to personal political ambitions or dissatisfaction over appointments.
The party also alleged that some of those announcing defections on social media lacked verifiable membership credentials and were being used to exaggerate the scale of the situation.
Despite these developments, the APC expressed confidence in its political standing, citing continued support from influential groups such as the Jigawa Elders Forum and traditional institutions across the state.
The statement concluded that the alleged wave of defections is inconsistent with realities on the ground and poses no threat to the party’s electoral prospects as preparations gradually build toward the 2027 elections.
Aisha Ahmed ✍ from Dutse
