The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has scored a major victory in Borno State, Vice President Kashim Shettima’s home state, as thousands of members from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition groups defected to the ADC. The mass defection spans all 27 local government areas, including high-profile politicians.
Leading the defection are influential figures such as Alhaji Idris Mamman Durkwa, former PDP gubernatorial aspirant; Hon. Sheriff Banki, respected youth leader; Hon. Mohammed Umara Kumalia, former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and Hon. Babakura Abba Yusuf, PDP’s 2023 House of Reps candidate for Maiduguri.
Others include Alhaji Saleh Kida, former deputy governorship candidate, and Alhaji Ali Wurge, former PDP National Treasurer.
The defectors cited frustration with the status quo and confidence in the ADC’s emerging coalition as reasons for their move.
This development follows the formation of a new coalition led by former Senate President David Mark, now ADC’s interim national chairman.
The coalition has garnered national attention, especially after PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi formed a political alliance under the ADC platform.
While rumors of potential defections from the ruling APC and speculation about Governor Babagana Zulum joining the ADC were dismissed, the steady stream of resignations from both APC and PDP is fueling talk of a major shake-up in the nation’s political landscape.
