The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has formally received a group of former African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidates into the ruling party, describing their defection as a significant endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and the APC’s political direction ahead of the 2027 general election.
The defectors, led by Princess Aslam Aliyu, popularly known as Gimbiyar Kauran Namoda, were received at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
They included former ADC House of Assembly candidates from various states who announced their decision to abandon their political ambitions under the opposition platform and join the APC.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Hon. Mohammed Hassan of Zamfara State said the group was not merely changing political parties but was embracing a new phase of political service aimed at contributing to national development and supporting President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to him, the decision to join the APC was informed by their conviction that the party provides the most viable platform for advancing the interests of Nigerians.
“We are not here merely to change a political platform, but to begin a new chapter of service and greater contribution to our people by supporting Baba Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Agenda 2027, Insha Allah,” Hassan said.
He appealed to the APC leadership to fully integrate the new entrants into the party’s structures and provide them the opportunity to contribute meaningfully.
“Our commitment remains clear—to support the party, mobilise our people, promote development and render service to Nigeria with sincerity and dedication. We have come to work; we have come to contribute,” he added.
Responding, Yilwatda commended the defectors for what he described as a patriotic decision, noting that they had voluntarily withdrawn from their political ambitions in the interest of national development.
He said the APC leadership considered their defection significant enough to warrant a formal reception at the national secretariat.
“We receive you especially because of the significance of your coming as candidates who voluntarily left the contest and withdrew from their ambitions for the overall interest of the nation,” he said.
“By receiving you here at the National Secretariat, we are telling Nigerians that these are young citizens who sacrificed personal ambition for the greater good of the country.”
The APC chairman directed the defectors to return to their respective wards and formally register as members of the ruling party, stressing that party membership begins at the grassroots level.
He also charged them to strengthen APC structures in their wards, local governments and polling units, emphasising that elections are won at the polling-unit level.
“I will recommend you back to your governors, back to your local governments, back to your wards and polling units because elections end at the polling units. All of us, including national officers, will vote at our polling units. So strengthen your polling units because all elections are won there,” he stated.
Yilwatda used the occasion to defend the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration, particularly ongoing infrastructure projects across northern Nigeria.
He dismissed claims by opposition figures that the North was being neglected, citing ongoing federal road projects including the Abuja-Kano, Kano-Maiduguri, Abuja-Lokoja, Abuja-Benue, Akwanga-Jos, Sokoto-Kebbi and Kano-Daura corridors, among others.
According to him, the administration’s infrastructure investments, student loan programme, gas projects and economic reforms are already yielding benefits for millions of Nigerians.
The APC chairman further argued that President Tinubu had demonstrated inclusive leadership throughout his political career, particularly during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, where individuals from different ethnic and religious backgrounds served in key positions.
He assured the new members that the APC remained an open and accommodating platform for all Nigerians regardless of background.
“This is your home. Our party is a big family that accommodates everybody. President Tinubu has demonstrated over the years that he is a pan-Nigerian leader who believes in inclusion and national unity,” he said.
Yilwatda welcomed the defectors on behalf of the APC National Working Committee, President Tinubu and millions of party members across the country, expressing confidence that their addition would strengthen the party’s grassroots mobilisation efforts ahead of future elections.
