Northern Support Groups Defect from PDP to APC Ahead of 2027 Presidential Election

Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, strong indications have emerged of a significant political realignment in the North, as support groups for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The groups, which span the 19 Northern States, officially announced their defection at an event held at the A-Class Event Centre in Abuja. The APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, received the defectors into the APC fold.

The defecting groups, under the Coalition of Atiku Support Groups, expressed their decision to join the APC and pledge support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing Senator Barau’s encouragement and his representation in the National Assembly as key factors in their shift.

Hon. Abubakar Malami, Coordinator of the Coalition, emphasized the group’s diverse composition, including women, youths, students, traders, academics, and farmers from across the North. He highlighted their critical role in mobilizing support for Atiku Abubakar during the 2023 elections and expressed their commitment to ensuring the success of President Tinubu’s administration in 2027.

Senator Barau Jibrin described the defection as a major win for the APC, encouraging the defectors to join the efforts to support President Tinubu’s vision for the country. Dr. Ganduje also commended the defection, praising Senator Barau for his role in facilitating the political shift.