Three PDP senators from Kebbi State have defected to the APC from PDP after a closed-door meeting with President Tinubu.
In a remarkable turn of political events that underscores the complexities of Nigerian democracy, Kebbi State has emerged as a case study in split-ticket politics. While the state is governed by Dr. Nasir Idris of the All Progressives Congress (APC), all three senators representing Kebbi were initially elected on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections. That paradox, however, has now shifted dramatically.
Last Tuesday, the three Kebbi senators—Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South)—announced their defection from the PDP to the APC, marking a significant consolidation of APC power in the Senate and reshaping Kebbi’s political landscape.
Their defections, formally announced in letters read during Senate plenary by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, followed a closed-door meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The trio was accompanied by APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu, and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Atiku Bagudu.
Though the purpose of the meeting was initially undisclosed, it later emerged that discussions centered on finalizing the senators’ move to the ruling party.
The Unfolding Drama
The defections were more than routine political maneuvering. They revealed deep fissures within the PDP, driven by leadership crises, unresolved litigations, and ideological disarray. All three senators cited internal instability in the PDP as their main reason for jumping ship.
Senator Aliero, a political heavyweight and former governor of Kebbi State (1999-2007), was forthright in his reasons. “This decision was not made lightly,” he wrote in his letter to the Senate. “Over the past months, it has become increasingly and manifestly clear to me that the PDP has become disconnected from the aspirations of the very Nigerians it seeks to lead.”
Aliero praised the APC’s renewed focus on national development and security under Tinubu’s leadership, describing the party as a more viable platform for delivering effective governance.
Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, who had left the APC in 2022 over internal disputes, described his return as a “homecoming,” noting that his earlier grievances had been resolved by Governor Idris. He emphasized that his decision followed extensive consultations with stakeholders in his district.
The newest senator, Garba Maidoki, elected in 2023, has gained attention for his vocal criticism of federal policies. Despite being a first-time legislator, Maidoki has made waves in Senate debates. However, his tone is expected to soften now that he has crossed over to the ruling party.
Maidoki cited progress in security as a key factor. “When I was sworn in… more than 100 villages in my senatorial district were occupied by bandits,” he said. “To the glory of God, the deployment of troops has brought stability. My people have almost all returned and are farming peacefully.”
APC Consolidates Power
With these defections, the APC now controls 68 of the 109 Senate seats. The PDP’s strength has been reduced to 30, while the Labour Party holds five seats. The SDP has two, and both the NNPP and APGA hold one seat each. Notably, the Senate currently has 107 members, due to the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah and the election of Monday Okpebholo as Edo State Governor.
This is the second wave of defections to the APC since the Senate resumed from its Easter and Eid-el-Fitr recess. Just a week earlier, Kano South Senator Kawu Sumaila dumped the NNPP for the APC, citing similar internal wrangling.
Political Calculations
Observers see the defections as both a blow to the PDP and a strategic coup for the APC ahead of midterm evaluations and the 2027 general elections. The presence of top APC officials at the Senate plenary—including Ganduje, Governor Idris, and Minister Tanko Yusuf—underscored the importance the party places on consolidating legislative support.
Following the announcement, the three senators were led to their new seats in the majority section of the chamber and joined in a photo session with party dignitaries, symbolizing their formal induction into the APC fold.
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PDP’s reaction
Despite these setbacks, the PDP is not retreating. The party has launched a high-level reconciliation initiative. On Monday, the PDP Governors Forum named former Senate President Bukola Saraki to head a seven-member committee tasked with resolving internal conflicts.
Saraki has pledged to heal divisions and restore party unity ahead of a crucial National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for May 27. In addition, the PDP Senate Caucus announced in October 2024 plans to form a panel of senior party leaders, including former governors, to mediate disputes.
However, it remains unclear whether these panels have been effective. With defections mounting and internal cohesion waning, the PDP faces a critical juncture.
Kebbi’s Political Paradox
Kebbi’s political setting—an APC governor and (formerly) PDP senators—is emblematic of the electoral contradictions in Nigeria’s democracy. Split-ticket voting is not unusual in the country, as voters often make decisions based on personality, regional affiliations, and immediate benefits rather than strict party loyalty.
However, the recent alignment of all federal and state representation under APC in Kebbi may lead to more synchronized governance. Governor Idris, a former president of the Nigeria Union of Teachers and Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, has emphasized unity and development since taking office.
His influence appears to have played a role in reconciling with erstwhile political adversaries like Senator Abdullahi, indicating his growing stature within the APC.
