ADC becoming biggest party in APC’s stronghold of Borno – Report

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

For now, the ADC appears to be the biggest beneficiary of the shifting political tides in Borno, once considered a stronghold of the APC.

As the opposition coalition party leadership, driven by Atiku Abubakar, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, Peter Obi, Rauf Aregbesola, Rotimi Amaechi and David Mark, continues to make waves across all stratas of Nigeria particularly North, its chosen platform, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), appears to have emerged the biggest political party in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)’s stronghold of Borno State.

This is due to exodus of politicians across levels, who have either pulled out or are still contemplating, tilting their land towards the ADC. By implications, the development is creating an avenue to dish the chances of the APC as the 2027 politics, started by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu the moment he came to power in 2023, is now joined by other gladiators.

El-Rufai has never pretended in his quest to help Nigerians take Tinubu he helped bring to power out of it cone 2027. Confirming the knowledge of the President’s Chicago State University certificate forgery issue among other reasons Tinubu must not return to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in 2027, the former Kaduna State Governor has said the president’s disapproval rating in North and South East is 91 percent and in 78 percent in his own Lagos State.

The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) told Nigerians never to envisage or think of it that Tinubu will come back, “it is not possible”, he said, and teaming up with the likes of Atiku, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Amaechi, Aregbesola, Obi, and others, this idea is coming more into fruition.

The DEFENDER reports that the ADC also keeps scoring a major victory in Borno State, which is the home state of Vice President Kashim Shettima, as thousands of members from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition groups have now defected to the coalition party.

The mass defection cuts across all 27 local government areas of the state and includes a number of high-profile political figures.

Leading the charge are influential politicians such as Alhaji Idris Mamman Durkwa, a former PDP gubernatorial aspirant, and Hon. Sheriff Banki, a respected youth leader and mobilizer.

They were joined by other prominent defectors including Hon. Mohammed Umara Kumalia, a former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, and Hon. Babakura Abba Yusuf, the PDP’s 2023 House of Reps candidate for Maiduguri.

Additional key figures who ditched their former parties include Alhaji Saleh Kida, a former deputy governorship candidate, and Alhaji Ali Wurge, a former PDP National Treasurer. All of them cited frustration with the status quo and confidence in the ADC’s emerging coalition as reasons for their defection.

The move comes on the heels of the formation of a new coalition spearheaded by former Senate President David Mark, now serving as interim national chairman of the ADC.

The coalition has attracted significant national attention following the recent political alliance between PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, who are now said to be working under the ADC platform to form a “third force.”

Amid growing rumors of potential defections from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), speculations that Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum might also join the ADC were swiftly dismissed.

However, the steady stream of resignations from both APC and PDP is fueling talk of a major shake-up in the nation’s political landscape.

In a statement released in Maiduguri, Hon. Sheriff Banki said the defections reflect growing dissatisfaction with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s APC-led federal government.

He accused the PDP in Borno State of failing its members due to internal compromises, weak leadership, and a lack of political direction.

“This is not just politics; it is a grassroots revolution,” Banki said. “People are tired of insecurity, hunger, and broken promises. Nigerians are demanding a new direction, and the ADC is now the only party with the integrity, structure, and national outlook to offer genuine hope.”

Political analysts say the defections could tilt the balance of power in the North-East as momentum builds toward 2027.

For now, the ADC appears to be the biggest beneficiary of the shifting political tides in Borno, once considered a stronghold of the APC.

The coming months are expected to see intensified campaigns and more realignments as parties reposition themselves ahead of what is already being touted as one of Nigeria’s most consequential elections.