The general public, and particularly the National Headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC), may have recently taken note of sensationalised media reports alleging mass defections and resignations from the party in Jigawa State ahead of the 2027 general elections. Some of these reports often reference a purported internal crisis, claiming that a significant number of members have defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). It has become apparently evident that certain third-columnists and media propagandists are working in tandem to project the narrative that the APC’s structure and electoral viability are being eroded.

We assess these actions as a deliberate attempt to mislead the general public, undermine the party’s stability, and stoke unnecessary political tension within the state. For the avoidance of doubt, such reports are largely the handiwork of desperate opposition elements and a handful of disgruntled party members—particularly those aligned with the former minister of defense, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar. These individuals have resorted to unconventional media platforms to falsely portray the current leadership as divided and ineffective.

Their aim is to discredit the significant progress achieved by the present administration for personal political gain. Contrary to these fabricated claims, the APC in Jigawa State remains stronger than ever. The reality on the ground reflects a different trend: since the inception of the current administration, thousands of members from the PDP and NNPP have officially defected to the APC.

This influx has been so significant that opposition parties in the state have become virtually non-existent. Defectors consistently cite Governor Umar Namadi’s style of inclusive governance—which prioritises the welfare of all citizens regardless of prior party affiliation—as the sole motivator of their decision to join the APC. Since the beginning of his administration, Governor Mallam Umar Namadi has prioritised transparency through the Citizens Engagement Programme (Gwamnati Da Jama’a).

This historic initiative saw the governor tour all 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and engage directly with grassroots electorates. During these sessions, the governor, alongside political appointees and office holders, presented detailed scorecards of ongoing and executed projects, thereby allowing citizens to assess performance and provide direct feedback. This programme has served as a vital feedback mechanism, ensuring that governance remains a two-way process.

Remarkably, submissions made by citizens during these tours formed the foundation of the 2026 fiscal budget. By integrating public input directly into financial planning, the administration has ensured that the state’s budget genuinely reflects the yearnings and aspirations of its people. The impact of the tour extended beyond governance into the political sphere.

Across the 27 LGAs, the Citizens Engagement Programme triggered a massive wave of defections from opposition parties, particularly the PDP and NNPP. Over 10,000 former opposition members joined the APC during the tour. In several instances, entire executive committees—from ward to LGA levels—dissolved their previous affiliations to align with the ruling party.

Following the conclusion of the programme, the APC has continued to witness a steady influx of new members. Decampees have cited several key reasons for their shift in allegiance, including widespread confidence in Governor Namadi’s vision and leadership style, the impartial completion of inherited projects regardless of location or political background, and the equitable execution of developmental initiatives across the state—including in traditional opposition strongholds—demonstrating a firm commitment to inclusive governance. Some notable defections into the APC, which have significantly weakened opposition parties in the state, are highlighted below in chronological order: In a noteworthy development, on 21st April 2025, the entire group of PDP propagandists, popularly known as “Sojojin Baka,” whose primary role was to promote the PDP agenda through electronic media, surrendered their membership cards and presented an Award of Excellence to Governor Umar Namadi.

Similarly, on 6th June 2025, a prominent financier of the PDP, Adamu Indallahi, defected to the APC alongside his teeming supporters. Indallahi was a frontline sponsor of the PDP’s 2023 governorship candidate, Mustapha Sule Lamido, under the popular platform “Gobe ta Allah Ce.” This defection represents one of the most significant setbacks for the PDP in Jigawa State. Since then, Indallahi has continued to mobilise grassroots support for the APC, particularly in Birnin Kudu LGA—the hometown of former Governor Sule Lamido—which has long been regarded as a PDP stronghold. On 21st June 2025, Alhaji Umar Nabakin Dogo, an important founding member of the PDP in Jigawa State and leader in the Hadejia Emirate—which includes eight LGAs like Ha