More than 1,000 members and leaders of opposition parties have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State.
The large group of defectors, drawn from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), and the Labour Party (LP), was officially received at a ceremony in the Lubo community.
Hon. Inuwa Garba, the APC member of the House of Representatives for the Yamaltu Federal Constituency, led the event alongside Adamu Lambam, the APC Chairman of the LGA.
Garba noted that the mass defection weakens opposition structures ahead of the 2027 elections and could make it easier for the APC to mobilise voters once campaigns officially begin.
Addressing supporters, Malam Tasiu Isa, the SDP Chairman for Yamaltu-Deba, said the decision to join the APC was driven by the party’s track record of delivering development and responsive governance at both state and federal levels.
“We are convinced that the APC is the party to be in because the party has good governance as evidence,” Isa said.
Mohammed Hinna, the Labour Party Chairman in the area, described the move as a patriotic choice by leaders who want to align their political future with what they consider progress and stability under the APC.
Some defectors told journalists they had consulted widely with their grassroots supporters before agreeing to join the APC, stressing that they believe the ruling party is best positioned to serve the interests of their communities.
Welcoming the new members, Lambam, the APC Chairman in the council, hailed the defections as a sign of growing confidence in the ruling party’s policies and plans for the region.
He promised equal opportunities and full inclusion for all new members, saying the APC remains the people’s choice because of the developmental strides it has delivered.
