Political Drama: ADC Slams APC Over ‘Fake’ Northern Defectors as 2027 Power Struggle Heats Up
The political battleground ahead of the 2027 general elections is intensifying, marked by a sharp exchange of words between Nigeria’s opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
At the center of the dispute is a high-profile reception at the APC national secretariat in Abuja, where the ruling party officially welcomed a group of Northern political figures presented as former ADC candidates and leaders from Jigawa, Plateau, Taraba, and Zamfara states.
However, the ADC has fired back, dismissing the event as a manufactured political show and calling out the APC for assigning “imaginary credentials” to unknown individuals.
The APC’s Stance: Welcoming Defectors & Defending Northern Development
Receiving the delegation—led by Aslam Aliyu (Gimbiyar Kauran Namoda) with former Zamfara ADC candidate Mohammed Hassan as spokesperson—APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda charged the defectors to return to their grassroots, mobilize their polling units, and secure support for President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda ahead of 2027.
Addressing the audience, Yilwatda strongly defended the administration’s economic policies, particularly warning against opposition calls to restore the fuel subsidy:
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Fuel Subsidy vs. Infrastructure: Yilwatda argued that restoring fuel subsidies would starve the nation of capital, effectively shutting down key infrastructure projects across the North—such as the 400km Abuja–Kano and 500km Kano–Maiduguri road corridors, as well as critical routes linking Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara.
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Agriculture & CNG: He emphasized that incoming gas initiatives will deliver much-needed fertilizer to Northern farmers and power Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) transport options for low-income commuters.
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Social Investments: Citing student loans and improved state revenue allocations, Yilwatda noted that the administration’s policies are directly targeting the root causes of poverty in Northern Nigeria.
The ADC Reacts: “Manufacturing Photographs and Fake Defectors”
In a swift press statement released by National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC completely disowned the defectors, describing the reception as an attempt to deceive the public with fabricated photo-ops.
Key points from the ADC’s rebuttal include:
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Unverified Identities: The ADC challenged the ruling party to name the exact offices these individuals held within the ADC, the constituencies they purportedly contested, and the dates they served.
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Distraction from Economic Reality: Abdullahi stated that “fake photo-ops” do not lower food prices, protect vulnerable communities, or assist struggling families with their daily bills.
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Public Call for Evidence: The opposition urged the ruling party to focus on delivering tangible relief to Nigerians rather than “manufacturing photographs and congratulating itself.”
What This Means for 2027
As political alignment, realignments, and grassroots mobilization gear up nationwide, the conflict highlights a growing battle over public narrative. While the APC aims to showcase expanding cross-regional alliances and champion its economic reforms, opposition parties are zeroing in on living costs and challenging the credibility of political defections.
