Namadi Sambo, a former Vice President during the Goodluck Jonathan administration, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made yesterday at the Kaduna State Government House, putting an end to months of speculation about his political direction.
Namadi Sambo’s switch to the APC is seen as a major setback for the PDP, especially in the North-West region.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, along with other APC leaders, welcomed Sambo into the party during a formal event.
His move adds to a growing wave of prominent defections from the PDP, which has raised serious concerns about the party’s strength ahead of the 2027 elections.
Sambo, a former governor of Kaduna and a well-regarded political figure in the North, still commands support among both the grassroots and elites.
In reaction to his defection, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido expressed disappointment over the declining level of political understanding in Nigeria.
Lamido criticized politicians for abandoning their principles and suggested that Sambo’s defection might not even be genuine.
He went further to say that if Sambo truly defected, it showed a lack of self-awareness about his political stature.
According to Lamido, someone of Sambo’s status shouldn’t be joining a party at the state level without a clear explanation.
“If not, then, it shows that the defecting politician does not know his class or standing in the country. By his status, he (Sambo) cannot join the APC at the local state branch of the party.
“You (the media) should ask him why he is jumping ship and what he wants or what is pursuing him,,” Lamido told reporters.
Meanwhile, Bashir Hamisu, a prominent figure in the Kaduna APC, confirmed the defection on Facebook.
He stated: “Former Vice President Namadi Sambo officially joins APC. You are welcome to our party 100 per cent.”
When asked why he chose to join the APC, Sambo explained that the party’s vision for a united and prosperous Nigeria matches his personal goals.
He said he believes in the APC’s direction and wants to contribute his experience to help move the party forward.
Sambo said: “APC’s vision for a united and prosperous Nigeria aligns with my aspirations for our great nation.
“I believe in APC’s commitment to progress, and I am here to bring my experience to bear on the efforts to support the party’s agenda.”
He also emphasized that his motivation has always been national unity, and he remains committed to playing his part in the country’s development.
Governor Uba Sani described Sambo’s entry into the APC as a major boost for both the party and the state.
KanyiDaily recalls that Mohammed Abdullahi, a former minister who served under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, recently resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC).