Again, Political Earthquake in Katsina: Mass Defection Rocks APC, PDP, NNPP as Hundreds Join ADC

Katsina State witnessed a major political shake-up on Sunday as hundreds of members from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) officially defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The high-profile defection occurred during the unveiling of the ADC’s Katsina State chapter, signaling a significant shift in the state’s political landscape.

Led by Mustapha Inuwa, head of the new coalition steering the ADC in the state, the ceremony was held at the Continental Event Center in Katsina. The new members, drawn from all genders and all 34 Local Government Areas of Katsina State, were issued ADC membership cards in a symbolic gesture of their new political allegiance.

Lawal Batagarawa, Katsina’s representative of the National Political Coalition Group, voiced serious concerns over the current state of the nation. He cited worsening insecurity, poverty, inflation, and the continued fall of the Naira as indicators of the country’s dire situation under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which began in 2023.

Batagarawa urged unity among citizens and ADC supporters, expressing strong belief that the party could take the lead in addressing issues like terrorism, illiteracy, and economic hardship in the North and across Nigeria.

Usman Musa Wamba, Chairman of the ADC in Katsina State, said the party is gearing up to make a strong showing in the 2027 general elections. He called on the electorate, especially the youth, to rally behind the ADC to reclaim the promises of democracy.

One of the most notable decampees, Aliyu Saulawa—former Director of Media for the Buhari Campaign Organisation and a top coordinator of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Movement—did not mince words in his criticism of the APC.

“The APC has completely failed Nigerians,” Saulawa stated. “They haven’t fulfilled even one percent of their campaign promises. Without security, there is no livelihood. In the Northwest, we depend on farming and trade, both of which are crippled by insecurity. Our educational system is in ruins. I cannot remain in a party that has failed us.”

Meanwhile, the PDP in Katsina State attempted to show resilience amid the wave of defections. At a gathering tagged “Let’s Make Katsina State Work Again”, held at the state PDP Headquarters, 2023 governorship candidate Yakubu Lado reassured supporters that the party remains strong and alive.

Lado addressed rumors surrounding the PDP’s decline in the state, blaming the former party leadership for their poor performance in the last election. “Our structure is still intact,” he declared. “It was the attitude and actions of our former leader that weakened us in 2023, but we are bouncing back.”

With defections shaking up the political hierarchy and new alliances forming, Katsina is set to be one of the key battlegrounds ahead of the 2027 elections.