In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, the entire structure of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Yobe State has defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), leaving only the PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Illiya Damagum is the sole prominent figure remaining in the party’s ranks in the state. This unprecedented mass migration, announced on July 5, 2025, marks a significant realignment in Nigeria’s opposition politics as the 2027 general elections loom.
The defection, described as a “political tsunami” by analysts, comes on the heels of a broader movement of prominent opposition figures to the ADC, including heavyweights like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, and the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi. The Yobe PDP’s collapse into the ADC follows a similar pattern, with local leaders citing frustration with internal crises within the PDP and a desire to join a coalition to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Among the notable defectors in Yobe is Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri, a former Minister of Police Affairs and a member of the PDP’s Board of Trustees. Speaking in Gashua, Yobe State, Waziri explained that his decision was driven by “wide consultations and deep personal reflection” and a commitment to addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges, including insecurity and economic hardship. “Insecurity has taken over our homes, especially in the North. Boko Haram, banditry, kidnappings, and terrorism have become part of our lives while the government prioritizes politics over the safety of its citizens,” Waziri stated, expressing confidence that the ADC could “return Nigeria to the path of economic recovery.”
The defection has sparked intense speculation about the PDP’s future as Nigeria’s leading opposition party. Political analyst Kabiru Danladi, a lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University, described the PDP as a “carcass” of its former self, arguing that the party has ceased to function as a viable political entity. “Seventy-five percent of the internal problems the PDP is facing now would be solved if they hold their convention,” Danladi noted, pointing to the party’s failure to address leadership disputes and organizational challenges. With Amb. Damagum’s tenure as Acting National Chairman set to expire by the end of 2025, the PDP faces a critical juncture as it prepares for its next National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
The ADC, originally formed in 2005 as the Alliance for Democratic Change, has emerged as a formidable platform for opposition unity. Under the interim leadership of David Mark, the party has attracted a coalition of political heavyweights, including former APC stalwarts like Nasir El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi, as well as PDP veterans like Uche Secondus and Sule Lamido. The coalition’s stated goal is to prevent Nigeria from sliding into a one-party state under the APC’s dominance, a concern echoed by ADC leaders who see the 2027 elections as a critical battleground.
In Yobe, the defection of the PDP’s entire structure has left Amb. Damagum in a precarious position, with some analysts suggesting that his isolation in the state could weaken his influence within the national party. The PDP’s national leadership has attempted to downplay the crisis, with Damagum urging members to refrain from “demarketing” the party and emphasizing unity ahead of the NEC meeting. However, the scale of the defections, particularly in Yobe, raises questions about the PDP’s ability to maintain its relevance in the face of a resurgent ADC.
Stakeholders across Nigeria are closely watching these developments, as the ADC’s growing momentum could reshape the opposition landscape. In Zamfara, Kogi, Borno, and Rivers States, similar defections from the PDP and other parties to the ADC have been reported, signaling a broader trend of consolidation around the coalition. In Rivers State, for instance, the Rivers Liberation Movement (RLM), a former PDP pressure group, has also collapsed its structure into the ADC, citing the need to liberate the state from “poverty and underdevelopment.”
As the ADC gains traction, the PDP’s decline in Yobe and beyond underscores the challenges facing Nigeria’s opposition. With prominent figures like Waziri invoking the legacy of the PDP’s early years under Olusegun Obasanjo and Atiku Abubakar—when Nigeria’s debt was reduced and the economy thrived—the defections reflect a longing for a return to stability and effective governance. Whether the ADC can capitalize on this momentum and deliver on its promises remains to be seen, but for now, the Yobe exodus has cemented its status as a force to be reckoned with in Nigerian politics.
For stakeholders, the message is clear: the 2027 elections will be a battle of coalitions, with the ADC emerging as a unifying platform for those disillusioned with the status quo. As Amb. Damagum stands alone in Yobe, the PDP must confront its internal demons or risk fading into political obscurity.
