El-Rufai, Other Top Kaduna Politicians Who Quit Parties to Join ADC Coalition, Full List Emerges
- Earlier in July, the coalition of political opposition, along with stakeholders of the ADC, declared a sweeping move to dislodge the ruling APC in the 2027 election
- The leaders, drawn from former members of the APC, PDP, and Labour Party (LP), vowed to build a formidable political force
- In Kaduna state, the ADC appears to be gaining strength due to defections from other parties and the convergence of various groups within its ranks
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering elections, politics, and governance in Nigeria.
Kaduna, Kaduna state - Since it was unveiled earlier in July as the official coalition platform of some prominent opposition figures, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has attracted top politicians from Nigeria's north-west geopolitical zone.
Legit.ng reports that so far, top politicians from different political parties, including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), have joined the party in the area.
Source: Twitter
The realignment has sparked reactions, with some observers predicting a more competitive election in the 2027 Kaduna state governorship election, particularly.
While some have argued that the calibre of politicians joining the coalition portends trouble for the ruling party, others contend that most of the politicians are inconsequential and pose no threat.
ADC coalition acquisitions in Kaduna
The wave of defections in Kaduna began after Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of the state and ex-APC chieftain, switched to the ADC coalition platform.
The other key founding members of the alliance include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; erstwhile Anambra governor and presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Peter Obi; ex-Senate President David Mark; former governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi; and former Osun state governor, Rauf Aregbesola.
In this report, Legit.ng highlights four top Kaduna politicians who have quit their respective political parties to join the ADC coalition platform.
New Kaduna ADC coalition members
1) Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai
In early July, the ADC coalition process was held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
El-Rufai and other politicians from various regions of the country were present at the venue for the official coalition event.
Meanwhile, El-Rufai is yet to be formally inducted into the ADC, with the party explaining that the 65-year-old was allowed time to complete certain electoral engagements within his former party, the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Source: Twitter
2) C.I.D. Maduabum
Maduabum, former director-general (DG) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), resigned from the party and joined the ADC on Sunday, July 20.
Maduabum, also a former member of the house of representatives, said the PDP, once a platform for national development, has now been “hijacked by self-serving, unscrupulous elements”.
Per The Cable, Maduabum described the party as “a shadow of its former self”, weakened by “chaos, betrayal, and internal decay”.
Guardian newspaper also noted the development.
3) John Ayuba
Ayuba, the deputy governorship candidate of the PDP in Kaduna state during the 2023 general election, defected to the ADC, according to a report by Channels Television on Monday, July 28.
Ayuba, a former commissioner of finance in the state, confirmed the development through a formal resignation letter he addressed to the PDP chairman of Unguwan Gaiya ward in Zangon Kataf local government area (LGA) of Kaduna.
He cited mismanagement and a lack of direction at the national level of the PDP as reasons for his decision to leave the party, accusing some national leaders of the PDP of mismanaging the party’s future and engaging in anti-party activities.
4) Aliyu Bello
Bello, the financial secretary of the PDP in Kaduna state, stepped down from his position and officially withdrew his membership from the party.
Leadership said he joined the ADC ahead of the 2027 elections in Nigeria.
Bello, a longtime PDP stalwart and prominent ally of Atiku, announced his resignation in two separate letters dated Wednesday, July 16, 2025, addressed to the Kaduna state PDP chairman and the chairman of his Tudun Nupawa ward.
In the letter to the state chairman, Bello wrote:
“I write to formally inform you of my decision to resign voluntarily from my position as the financial secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna state, effective Wednesday, July 16, 2025.”
Kaduna commissioner set to join ADC
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Professor Muhammad Sani Bello, the Kaduna state commissioner of information, officially resigned from his role on Tuesday, July 29.
Reports seen by Legit.ng indicated that Bello, a former governorship candidate in the prominent northwest state, is set to join the ADC coalition platform ahead of the 2027 election.
Source: Legit.ng
