2027:  Key APC Chieftains, Youth Leader, Supporters Defect to ADC in Sokoto LGA

2027:  Key APC Chieftains, Youth Leader, Supporters Defect to ADC in Sokoto LGA

From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto

The political landscape in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State witnessed a major realignment on Tuesday as prominent members and supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) announced their defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The development has been described by political observers as a significant blow to the APC in Goronyo, particularly because the defectors include influential political actors with substantial grassroots followership and strong connections among youths and other sections of the electorate.

Leading the defection was Alhaji Kabiru Isah Mai Alewa, a prominent politician in Goronyo Local Government Area, who formally announced his departure from the APC and joined the ADC alongside his supporters.

Mai Alewa, who is widely regarded as an active grassroots politician, played a significant role in the political mobilisation of the APC during the 2019 and 2023 elections and was considered one of the party’s influential and charismatic political figures in the area.

Another major defector was Alhaji Ibrahim Ado Taloka, the immediate past APC Youth Leader in Goronyo Local Government Area, whose movement to the ADC is expected to attract considerable attention, particularly among young people who constitute a major voting bloc ahead of the 2027 elections.

Political analysts in the state said the defection of the APC youth leader, alongside his supporters, could have serious implications for the ruling party’s grassroots mobilisation strategy in Goronyo, especially at a time when political parties are intensifying efforts to consolidate their support bases ahead of the next general elections.

Addressing their supporters, the defectors accused the APC of failing to meet their expectations, describing the party as one that had allegedly become associated with deception, betrayal and lack of respect for its supporters.

They also cited insecurity, hunger and what they described as inadequate attention to the welfare and concerns of party supporters as some of the reasons that compelled them to abandon the APC and embrace the ADC.

According to them, “We and our supporters have taken the decision to leave the APC and join the ADC after careful consideration, consultation and deep reflection on the political situation in our communities.”

They further declared that their decision to join the ADC was not motivated by personal pressure or taken in haste, stressing that it was based on what they described as their commitment to the interests of the people and their desire to contribute to the emergence of a more meaningful political direction.

“This decision was not taken suddenly, neither was it imposed on us by anybody. It is a decision taken out of our concern for the people and our determination to see a better political system that can bring meaningful development to our communities,” they said.

The defectors urged their political associates, supporters and members of the public to regard their movement to the ADC as a deliberate political decision aimed at creating a new platform for political participation, representation and service to the people.

They said, “We are joining the ADC because we believe that this political journey offers a new opportunity to build a meaningful political structure that will be beneficial to the people and give our communities a stronger voice.”

The latest movement has further intensified the ongoing political alignment and realignment across Sokoto State as politicians and grassroots actors position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition parties seeking to expand their structures while the ruling party battles to retain its political dominance.

The defectors pledged their full support, commitment and hard work towards ensuring the success of the ADC in the forthcoming elections, declaring that they would mobilize their supporters and work tirelessly to strengthen the party’s grassroots structure in Goronyo and beyond.

They said, “We are fully prepared to contribute our strength, resources and political experience towards building the ADC and ensuring victory in the coming election. This is a new political chapter, and we are determined to work for its success.”