Ex-Minister, Former Governor’s Wife Dump PDP for ADC Amid Rising Discontent in Yobe
Emerging coalition taps into growing dissatisfaction with legacy parties ahead of 2027
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The newly formed African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, touted as a “third force” ahead of the 2027 elections, has made early inroads in Yobe State, with two high-profile defections from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Former Minister of Police Affairs and two-time PDP gubernatorial candidate Adamu Maina Waziri officially tendered his resignation from the PDP on Monday, while Zainab Boni-Haruna, wife of a former Adamawa State governor and a native of Yobe, also announced her departure from the party in a separate event.
Waziri, a long-time political player in the North-East, submitted his resignation at his Dogotebo Ward in Potiskum Local Government Area, describing the decision as difficult but necessary. He referenced the party’s constitution, which requires resigning members to do so at the ward level.
“This is a very hard decision,” Waziri said, addressing party loyalists. “But I believe the time has come for a new direction, and I urge the young men here to consider joining us in the near future.”
While Waziri offered no detailed critique of the PDP, his departure comes amid growing dissatisfaction among Northern PDP members, particularly in states where the party has failed to maintain a foothold in recent election cycles.
‘Sabuwar Tafiya’ or Familiar Faces?
In Fika Local Government, Zainab Boni-Haruna echoed Waziri’s sentiments as she resigned and declared allegiance to the ADC coalition. Describing the movement as a “Sabuwar Tafiya”—Hausa for “new journey” — she urged constituents to align with the ADC to secure better governance for the region.
“I have informed my people that I am no longer a member of the PDP,” she said. “We need leaders who can bring meaningful development, and I believe the ADC coalition is the platform for that.”
However, political observers are skeptical. Critics argue that the so-called new journey is being driven by long-serving political elites, many of whom held high office under past administrations. While the ADC is positioning itself as a vehicle for reform, its credibility is already being questioned due to its leadership makeup, which includes figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rauf Aregbesola — all of whom were deeply embedded in the political establishment they now claim to challenge.
A Slow Exodus or Strategic Shake-Up?
Though still in its infancy, the ADC coalition has begun to attract not only PDP stalwarts but also disenchanted All Progressives Congress (APC) figures, particularly in states where political patronage and internal disputes have created deep rifts.
Analysts suggest these defections may signal deeper structural fatigue within Nigeria’s two dominant parties. Yet, there is equal concern that the ADC could devolve into yet another gathering of political opportunists, more focused on power realignment than genuine reform.
“These defections reflect growing disillusionment, not necessarily ideological alignment,” one Yobe-based political analyst told The Daily Courier NG. “Voters must ask whether this is truly a fresh start or just another recycled alliance of the old guard.”
Opposition Reconfiguration or Election-Time Theater?
The ADC’s emergence as a rallying point for defectors raises critical questions about the nature of political coalitions in Nigeria. Are these alignments driven by policy vision or mere positioning for power? While the rhetoric surrounding Sabuwar Tafiya is rich in aspiration, the coalition’s effectiveness will likely hinge on whether it can inspire public trust, particularly among a youth-dominated electorate that remains deeply skeptical of recycled politicians.
For now, the ADC gains in Yobe mark a symbolic win in a historically conservative region. But whether this momentum can translate into a viable political alternative remains to be seen, especially in the absence of a clear ideological framework and a unified leadership front.
Reference
Ex-Minister, Former Governor’s Wife Dump PDP for ADC Amid Rising Discontent in Yobe