Deputy Senate President Senator Barau I. Jibril on Tuesday welcomed key political figures from the Social Democratic Party into the All Progressives Congress in a major defection that reshapes Kano State’s political landscape.
The event, held at the REIZ Continental Hotel in Abuja, witnessed the defection of the SDP’s 2023 Vice Presidential candidate, Engr. Yusuf Buhari, alongside the party’s Kano State governorship candidate, Bala Muhammad Gwagwarwa. Also joining the APC were members of the Kano State SDP Working Committee, 38 local government chairmen and secretaries, as well as several former candidates for the House of Assembly and House of Representatives.
The defection signals a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections. According to APC leaders at the event, it underscores the collapse of any attempt to use the SDP as a platform to challenge the ruling party in the next electoral cycle.
“This mass defection marks a major political realignment and sends a clear message – the mission to use the SDP as a platform to challenge the APC in 2027 is dead on arrival,” the statement read.
It was also noted that those who had sought to leverage the SDP for personal political ambitions have faced rejection, as key figures within the party have now embraced the APC under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership.
Senator Barau assured the new entrants of equal opportunities within the party, stressing that the APC remains a united platform for national development.
“DSP Barau I. Jibril assured the new members that they would be treated equally and fairly in our party. In the APC, everyone is valued. Whether you joined today or have been a long-standing member, you are part of one family working toward the common goal of national development,” the statement read.
The defectors’ decision to join the APC was described as a recognition of the achievements of the Tinubu administration.
“These political heavyweights’ decision to join the APC is a testament to the remarkable progress being recorded under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration,” the statement noted.
Senator Barau commended Engr. Yusuf Buhari, Bala Muhammad Gwagwarwa, and the other defectors for acknowledging the government’s strides and choosing to align with a party focused on delivering good governance and fostering national unity.
The APC, he said, remains committed to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and ensuring continued progress for all citizens.
