Former Senator Abubakar Gada has announced his defection from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing a leadership crisis within the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Gada made the announcement on Saturday while addressing supporters in Sokoto. He said his decision to leave the ADC was driven by internal leadership challenges and the need to rebuild the PDP in the state.
The former lawmaker, who represented Sokoto East Senatorial District between 2007 and 2011 on the platform of the PDP before defecting to the ADC in 2025, said he was returning to the PDP to “reclaim and rebuild” the party in Sokoto.
He accused former Sokoto State Governor and current Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, of sabotaging the ADC’s growth in the state by failing to fully commit to the party after indicating interest in joining it.
According to Gada, both he and Tambuwal were initially regarded as joint leaders of the ADC in Sokoto. He alleged that Tambuwal’s refusal to formally identify with the party and mobilise his supporters caused confusion and stalled its development.
Gada further claimed that Tambuwal maintained conflicting political engagements, alleging that he held discussions with the All Progressives Congress (APC) while also being mentioned as a possible vice-presidential option for Labour Party’s Peter Obi, without officially registering with the ADC or encouraging his supporters to do so.
Supporters of the PDP at the event described Gada’s declaration as a boost to the party’s chances in the state. Alhaji Hamza Yabo said the move signalled the beginning of the PDP’s revival following its loss in the 2023 elections.
Another supporter, Alhaji Hamza Gatawa, said efforts to reclaim the party had commenced, while Hajia Mariam Kabi urged women and youths to support Gada’s political ambition ahead of 2027 and encouraged eligible youths to register for their voter cards.
The ADC gained prominence in Sokoto politics in 2024 amid internal crises within the PDP. Tambuwal, who served as governor of the state between 2015 and 2023, has not publicly responded to Gada’s allegations.
However, the Sokoto State chapter of the PDP dismissed Gada’s claim of rejoining the party. The party’s Publicity Secretary, Hassan Sayinnawal, said the PDP was unaware of Gada’s defection.
Sayinnawal said neither the party leadership at the ward, local government, state nor national levels had received Gada, adding that his name does not appear in the party’s register.
Gada is expected to formally announce his return to the PDP at the state level in the coming weeks as political realignments intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
