DUTSE – The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jigawa State has been hit by a wave of mass resignations following what stakeholders describe as “illegal and provocative” actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The exodus primarily involves political structures and loyalists linked to the former Governor of Jigawa State and current Minister of Defence, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar. Sources confirm that high-ranking party members are dumping the ruling party in large numbers, citing a need to “stand up and defend democracy.”
The defectors pointed to the ongoing leadership tussle within the ADC, where INEC recently delisted the David Mark-led National Working Committee despite a court-ordered status quo. The move is being interpreted by Jigawa political actors as a dangerous precedent of institutional manipulation.
“This is the time to save democracy,” one of the defectors stated shortly after submitting his resignation. “We cannot continue to tolerate injustice and manipulation. What is happening to the opposition today can happen to anyone tomorrow if we don’t take a stand.”
This development follows allegations by the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, who accused the APC of “weaponizing” INEC to destabilise the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections. The sudden rebellion within the Jigawa APC suggests these concerns are gaining traction even within the ruling party’s own ranks.
The mass defection is expected to significantly alter the political landscape in the North-West state, potentially weakening the APC’s grip on the region as loyalists of the former governor seek new political alignments.
As of the time of this report, the Jigawa State APC leadership has not issued an official response to the mass departures.
