…as ADC leadership cite breach of constitution
The Senator representing Sokoto South and former Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The defection was announced on Thursday, March 12, 2026, through a resignation letter addressed to his ward chairman in the Tambuwal/Shinfiri Ward of Sokoto State.
Tambuwal, who also served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, explained that his decision followed deep reflection and extensive consultations with his political associates and supporters.
He cited the persistent internal crises, leadership disagreements, and deep-seated divisions within the PDP as the primary factors that made his continued membership untenable.
According to the lawmaker, these lingering disputes have weakened the cohesion and sense of direction that once defined the opposition party.
While defending his move, the Senator noted that his transition to the ADC is part of a broader effort to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic values and provide a credible alternative to the current political landscape.
He expressed concerns that the country’s political trajectory was leaning toward a one-party state, which he described as unhealthy for a vibrant democracy.
Tambuwal emphasized that the ADC provides a stronger platform built on integrity, accountability, and a clear commitment to national development.
Despite his departure, Tambuwal expressed gratitude to the PDP for the platforms it provided him throughout his political career, including his tenures as Speaker and Governor. His move was part of a larger wave in the Senate, where nine lawmakers including Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe and Ireti Kingibe formally defected to the ADC on the same day, significantly reshaping the opposition bloc in the 10th Senate.
The defection has already sparked reactions in his home state, with a faction of the ADC in Sokoto reportedly distancing itself from the move, claiming constitutional procedures for membership were not followed.
Spokespersons for the dissenting faction argued that the ADC is built on a bottom-up structure and that allowing a political heavyweight to parachute into the party without consulting the local leadership undermines the integrity of the state’s existing members.
They expressed concerns that a sudden influx of Tambuwal’s loyalists could lead to a hostile takeover of the party’s machinery in Sokoto, potentially displacing those who have sustained the ADC during its leaner years.
Nonetheless, Tambuwal’s exit remains a significant blow to the PDP as political realignments continue to intensify ahead of future electoral contests.
