Politics
2023: Amosun Preferred Guber Candidate, Otegbeye, Others Dump ADC, Join APC
A scion of the Otegbeye’s family in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State and son of the legendary politician, Dr. Tunji Otegbeye, Dr. Leke Otegbeye, has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), according to Vanguard.
The former gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said, he joined the APC and will lead campaign for Prince Dapo Abiodun’s reelection because he was convinced that if his father was alive “he would be in the progressives fold”.
Otegbeye, who led other leaders and stalwarts of the African Democratic Party (ADC) to the ruling party, told newsmen after meeting with Governor Abiodun at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta, that he and the former ADC members identified the personal qualities of the governor and his style of governance, hence, their decision to join the APC.
“I see His Excellency as a cool, calm and collected individual and a man, one will be a delight to work with. He is a compassionate person who has the capacity to lead and it will be good to align with somebody who can lead people in the right direction.
“Apart from me, I am bringing people of like minds and of high integrity who are ready and willing to add value to the party and work for its success.
“We have seen what the governor is doing across the state and I must say he is doing very well. As you know, government is a continuum and we are certain that he is going to do even better. From where he started, he has done a great job and I believe if given another opportunity, he will continue and enhance what he has done so far”, Otegbeye stated.
The former ADC chieftain lauded the governor for keeping his promise of even distribution of developmental projects to all parts of the state, noting that the current administration has been able to touch all sectors of the economy in the last three and a half years in the saddle.
On the timing of their decamping to the ruling party, Otegbeye said: “Sometimes, it takes time to measure decisions, so once you make the decision, it stands. I am a progressive and if there is any where I should be, I should align with the APC as a progressive. I think that is where I belong”.
A member of the extended Otegbeye family, Biyi, is the candidate of ADC that was recently stopped by a court order from contesting the governorship ticket.
Responding, the Senior Special Adviser on Political Matters, Tunji Egbetokun, described the former ADC members as men and women of proven integrity and responsibility who have seen the light and decided to take a stand with the progressives in the state.
He commended them for choosing to align with the ruling party and work towards its total victory in the 2023 general election.
Welcoming the defecting ADC members into his campaign train, Governor Dapo Abiodun said “it is always good to appreciate good deeds. I assure you that you will be treated as equal stakeholders in the APC”.
He thanked Dr. Otegbeye for honouring the memory of his late father by identifying with the ideals of good governance, inclusive leadership and accountability in politics.
“We want to assure you that you will be treated with decorum and we will not disappoint you in any form.
“If the ultimate goal is for the welfare, well-being and wellness of our people across the length and breadth of Ogun State is your driving force to join us, you are welcome to join the winning streak of our building our future together”, he concluded.
A former senator representing Sokoto East Senatorial District, Abubakar Umar Gada, has assured members and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the party remains strong and united in Sokoto State despite recent defections by some political figures.
Gada gave the assurance in a statement issued on Thursday in Sokoto, where he urged party loyalists to remain calm, focused and committed to the ideals of the PDP.
According to him, political defections are not unusual in Nigeria’s democratic landscape and should not be seen as a threat to the stability and strength of the party in the state.
SEE MORE: PDP’s Festering Crisis Chases Tambuwal to ADC
The former lawmaker stressed that the PDP still enjoys a strong grassroots presence in Sokoto, noting that the party’s structure across the state remains intact and capable of delivering electoral victories.
He explained that the strength of the PDP lies in the loyalty and dedication of its members, leaders and supporters who have remained committed to the party through various political challenges.
Gada also pointed out that politics allows individuals the freedom to make personal decisions, but maintained that the PDP as an institution remains resilient and firmly rooted in the aspirations of the people of Sokoto State and Nigeria.
He further disclosed that the party’s national leadership has already initiated measures aimed at strengthening internal unity and consolidating party structures across the country.
According to him, consultations and reconciliation efforts are currently ongoing among key stakeholders to address emerging concerns and reinforce unity within the party.
Gada noted that such engagements are designed to ensure the PDP moves forward with renewed focus, stronger unity and a clear commitment to democratic values.
He recalled that the party has successfully navigated several political challenges in the past and has consistently emerged stronger.
The former senator therefore urged PDP members in Sokoto State to remain steadfast and avoid actions capable of creating divisions within the party.
He also called on supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation and strengthen party structures across all levels as the party prepares for future political contests.
The lingering intra-party crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has forced senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Tambuwal to dump the party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Tambuwal, a former governor of Sokoto State, disclosed this in a resignation letter dated March 11, 2026, addressed to the PDP ward chairman in Tambuwal/Shinfiri Ward of Tambuwal Local Government Area.
The letter, which was made available to journalists on Thursday, said the decision followed consultations with his political associates and supporters.
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“After deep reflection and extensive consultations with my political associates and supporters, I have decided to resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party with immediate effect,” Tambuwal stated.
According to the former Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, lingering disputes and leadership disagreements in the PDP made it increasingly difficult for him to remain in the party.
“The persistent internal crises, leadership disagreements and growing divisions within the party have made it increasingly difficult for me to continue my membership,” he added.
Despite leaving the party, the senator expressed appreciation to the PDP for the opportunities it gave him to serve in different capacities.
“I remain grateful to the party for the platform it provided me to serve Nigeria as Speaker of the House of Representatives and later as Governor of Sokoto State,” he said.
Tambuwal confirmed that he had joined the ADC alongside his political associates and supporters, describing the move as part of efforts to strengthen democratic values and provide a credible political alternative.
“My decision is guided by the conviction that Nigeria requires a stronger political platform built on integrity, accountability, inclusiveness and a clear commitment to national development,” he added.
Tambuwal served as Speaker of the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015 before emerging governor of Sokoto State in 2015 under the All Progressives Congress (APC). He later defected to the PDP the same year and was re-elected governor in 2019.
After completing his second term in 2023, he was elected to the Nigerian Senate to represent Sokoto South.
His defection to the ADC is expected to alter the political dynamics in Sokoto State, where he remains one of the state’s most influential political figures.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has explained that the persistent crisis and legal disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party compelled him to defect to the All Progressives Congress.
The governor’s defection was formally announced on Monday by his deputy, Mani Mummuni, after a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Gusau.
In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the move was described as a necessary step taken in the interest of the state and supported by political stakeholders across Zamfara.
SEE ALSO: JUST IN: PDP Crisis Deepens as Appeal Court Upholds Ban on Ibadan Convention
According to the statement, Governor Lawal had remained committed to the PDP despite the ongoing leadership crisis and had made several efforts to reconcile factions within the party.
However, attempts to achieve peace and unity reportedly failed, leading to prolonged legal battles.
The development followed a judgment by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which dismissed an appeal filed by the PDP challenging an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court.
The earlier judgment had restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the outcome of the party’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The governor was said to have informed political stakeholders during a series of meetings that he would make a final decision about his political future after the appellate court delivered its ruling.
Following the judgment, Lawal concluded that joining the APC would better position him to continue what he described as the “Zamfara Rescue and Rebuild Mission.”
His defection marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Zamfara State and could influence political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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