The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jigawa State has rejected reports of mass defections and internal crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing them as misleading and politically motivated.
In a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Hamisu Mohammed Gumel and made available to Prime Time News on Sunday, the party said claims that large numbers of members had defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) were inaccurate and aimed at undermining its stability.
The statement accused unnamed actors of pushing a false narrative of disunity within the APC, warning that such reports could mislead the public and inflame political tensions.
According to the statement, the APC remains “stronger than ever,” citing an influx of members from opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), since the inauguration of Gov. Namadi.
The government attributed the trend to Namadi’s governance approach, particularly his Citizens Engagement Programme, “Gwamnati Da Jama’a,” through which he toured all 27 local government areas to present project scorecards and gather feedback.
Officials said inputs from those engagements shaped the state’s 2026 budget, describing the initiative as a model for inclusive governance.
The statement also pointed to recent high-profile defections into the APC, including Adamu Indallahi, Umar Nabakin Dogo and Aminu Jahun.
It added that more than 66,000 defectors from opposition parties were formally received at a rally in Dutse in October 2025, one of the largest political gatherings in the state’s recent history.
The APC acknowledged that fewer than 20 prominent members had left the party, attributing their departure to personal grievances or political ambitions.
The party maintained that most of those who exited lacked strong grassroots support and were largely former appointees.
It also accused some individuals of using social media to exaggerate their influence and create the impression of widespread defections.
“The sensational claims of mass defections are inconsistent with realities on the ground and will not affect the APC’s electoral strength,” the statement said.
Looking ahead to 2027, the party expressed confidence in its position, citing sustained grassroots support and continued defections from opposition groups, while pledging to intensify consultations and mobilization efforts.