2027: Ex-Sokoto Senator Dumps ADC, Declares for PDP Ahead of General Election

Former Senator Abubakar Umar Gada has officially announced his return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ending his brief stint with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as political realignments intensify ahead of the 2027 general election.

Gada, who represented Sokoto East Senatorial District in the Senate from 2007 to 2011, declared his intention to rejoin the PDP at a rally of supporters in Sokoto State on Saturday. His decision marks a significant shift in the opposition landscape as parties prepare for nationwide contests.

Why He Quit the ADC

In his address, Gada said the move was driven by leadership disagreements within the ADC in Sokoto. He accused Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, a former Sokoto governor and key political figure, of failing to fully commit to building the ADC’s structure in the state.

“We were seen as joint leaders of the ADC here,” Gada said, “but leadership means responsibility. For six months, we worked to build momentum, but he refused to sit down with us and help grow the party.”

Gada also criticised what he described as political contradictions, alleging Tambuwal was engaged in other alignments and not fully investing in ADC organisation — a situation he said left the party “in limbo” in Sokoto.

Political Reactions and PDP Response

At the event, PDP supporters welcomed Gada’s declaration as a boost for the party’s efforts to regain influence in the state following setbacks in the 2023 elections. Some urged youth and women to mobilise behind his political ambitions.

However, the PDP’s state publicity secretary expressed surprise, saying the party’s official registers at the ward, local government, and state levels do not yet reflect his membership. “We are not aware of his coming to PDP,” the spokesman said, noting that formal processes have yet to be completed.

Context Ahead of 2027

Gada’s shift comes amid a fluid political environment in Nigeria, where parties and coalitions are jockeying for position ahead of the 2027 polls. The ADC had been gaining traction as part of a broader opposition coalition, attracting members from other major parties over the past year.

His return to the PDP underscores ongoing realignment efforts within Nigeria’s opposition, as leaders assess platforms that can best compete against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and other emerging political blocs.