Three members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) State Executive Committee, seven Local Government Area (LGA) chairmen, and several youth and women leaders have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State.
The development was contained in a statement signed by Abubakar Bawa, Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Sokoto, dated November 10, 2026.
The defectors were formally received into the APC by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Faruku Labbo, at his office on Tuesday.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Shehu Abdullahi Mai Rago said their decision was driven by Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s leadership style, particularly his alleged refusal to witch-hunt or intimidate opposition members.
Mai Rago described Aliyu as a humble, respectful and purposeful leader, while commending the administration’s development projects across various sectors of the state.
He pledged the defectors’ commitment to mobilising more PDP members, including the remaining PDP local government chairmen, to join the APC.
Labbo, while welcoming the defectors, commended their decision and urged them to mobilise their supporters for the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He also assured them of full integration into the activities of the ruling party in the state.
The defectors include:
- Ahmed A. Umar
- Aliyu Mai Shinkafa — PDP Exco Member, Binji LGA
- Mohammed Yusuf — PDP Chairman, Kware LGA
- Altine Gudu — PDP Chairman, Gudu LGA
- Manir Tureta — PDP Chairman, Tureta LGA
- Bello Garba Iya — PDP Secretary, Sabon Birni LGA
- Abubakar Ango Bodinga — PDP Chairman, Bodinga LGA
- Mu’awiyya Noma — PDP Chairman, Tangaza LGA
- Muntari Dan Dare — PDP Chairman, Silame LGA
- Almustafa S. Tudu — PDP Secretary, Tambuwal LGA
- Garba Iya
- Balkisu Yusuf — PDP Youth Leader, Sokoto North LGA
- Naja’atu Buhari — State PDP Youth Leader
- Bilkisu Sidi — PDP Women Leader, Waziri B Ward
- Sadiya Umar — PDP Zawarawa Women Leader
The statement added that members of the Amalgamated Association of ADC Traders, Youths and Students Stakeholders, ADC Tudun Wada Ward executives and prominent ADC members, including Shehu Jalka of Tudun Wada B and Badamasi of Magajin Rafi B, also defected to the APC.
The ADC defectors cited the ongoing development and transformation in Sokoto State under Governor Aliyu as the reason for their decision.
