Maidoki Leaves APC For ADC, Citing Unresolved Party Disputes

APC senator says ADC offers a better platform to pursue political goals and serve constituents effectively.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Tuesday, lost a member in the Senate as the lawmaker representing Kebbi South Senatorial District, Senator Garba Musa Maidoki, formally defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing unresolved internal crises within the party.

Maidoki announced his defection in a letter read on the floor of the Senate during plenary, a development that has altered the existing political configuration in the upper legislative chamber and underscored growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general election.

In the letter addressed to the President of the Senate and his colleagues, the senator attributed his decision to persistent disputes within the APC, particularly in Kebbi State, which he said had undermined the party’s commitment to justice, peace and unity.

“I am writing to inform the President of the Senate and my distinguished colleagues of my defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC),” Maidoki stated.

Explaining the reasons behind his decision, the lawmaker accused the APC of failing to live up to its ideals, especially during the conduct of the recently concluded party primary elections in Kebbi State.

“The All Progressives Congress has not exhibited its slogan of justice, peace and unity, particularly in Kebbi State during the just-concluded primary elections,” he said.

He added that he had become convinced that the ADC would provide a more suitable platform for the pursuit of his political aspirations and for advancing the interests of the people of Kebbi South.

Maidoki stressed that his move was driven by a desire to align with a political platform whose leadership and principles, in his view, would better serve his constituents and Nigerians at large.

But the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary, has appealed to Maidoki to reconsider his decision, insisting that there was no crisis within the ruling party in Kebbi State.

Barau said, “But before I read your signature, let me ask that you allow me to intervene and reconcile you. I know there is no internal problem in the APC in Kebbi State.

“It might be because of a family dispute. If you allow me, I can come in to reconcile you.”

The Deputy Senate President’s intervention sparked procedural concerns from some lawmakers, prompting him to withdraw from further comments on the matter.

“Well, he has drawn my attention to the fact that I should not descend into the arena. So, your suggestion is upheld,” Barau said before formally concluding the announcement of the defection.