The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has challenged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to substantiate its claim that House of Assembly candidates from four states have defected to the ruling party, insisting that those paraded in Abuja were not recognised candidates or officials of the opposition party.
The controversy followed the APC’s announcement that former ADC Assembly candidates from Jigawa, Plateau, Taraba and Zamfara had joined its fold and declared support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections. The group was received by APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Monday. (News Express Nigeria)
But the ADC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, dismissed the development as a fabrication, arguing that the individuals presented by the APC could not be established as its candidates simply by being introduced at the ruling party’s secretariat.
The opposition party said the APC should produce verifiable details showing the political positions allegedly held by the individuals before their purported defection.
It specifically demanded that the ruling party identify the ADC offices the individuals occupied, the constituencies in which they contested under the ADC and when they held those positions.
“The APC cannot assemble random individuals at its secretariat, confer imaginary ADC credentials on them and then announce their defection,” the party said.
The ADC further stated that although the APC chairman was free to receive visitors, he should not present people as former ADC candidates or leaders without evidence establishing their identities and political credentials.
The dispute has introduced an unusual dimension into the latest wave of defections ahead of the 2027 elections, with the ADC effectively questioning whether the people received by the APC can legitimately be described as its former candidates.
The party also rejected the explanation attributed to the purported defectors that they were moving to the APC because of what they considered the achievements of the Tinubu administration in Northern Nigeria.
According to the ADC, the ruling party should demonstrate improvements in Nigerians’ living conditions rather than rely on photographs of political gatherings as evidence of performance.
It questioned how such political events could address rising food costs, insecurity and the financial difficulties confronting households.
“Nigerians are asking for evidence of better lives; the APC is manufacturing photographs and congratulating itself,” the party stated.
The APC had earlier said the defectors were convinced by the Renewed Hope Agenda and were prepared to support Tinubu’s bid for another term. The group, led by Princess Aslam Aliyu Gambiyar of Zamfara, said its decision followed its belief in the administration’s direction and its desire to contribute to national development.
The ADC, however, maintained that it would not recognise the people presented by the APC as its former candidates or officials unless their claimed membership, offices and electoral credentials could be independently established.
The party urged the APC to provide the evidence rather than rely on public presentation alone.
