BY AHMED TUKUR, LAFIA – The Nasarawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is enmeshed in serious internal crisis leading to a growing number of its members, including lawmakers and political appointees, defecting to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The wave of defections from the ruling party in the state, which gathered momentum following the outcome of the APC Governorship primary election in the state, has left the party struggling to contain growing anger and discontent within its ranks.
This is as members, stakeholders and supporters of the party across the state are pointing accusing fingers at the APC leadership for failing to reach out to aggrieved members with a view to addressing their grievances that arose from the primary election.
The development has also sparked concerns over the party’s grassroots support, with some members alleging that the leadership has become increasingly disconnected from grassroot party supporters.
Speaking on the development, Danjuma Ayuba, an APC member from Akwanga, blamed the growing crisis on what he described as the party’s failure to engage with the people.
According to him; “Since Governor Abdullahi Sule assumed power, the party has never gone round to hear the problems of the people”.
Also speaking, another member of the party based in Lafia, Akolo Gabriel, said the decision to leave the APC was driven by a loss of confidence in the party, saying; “we are moving out of the APC because the party lacks a future”.
The exodus of the APC members has gone beyond the ordinary as even elected officials and political appointees have also joined the train of those moving from the APC to the SDP in droves.
Among those who have defected are four lawmakers elected on the platform of the APC namely; Mohammed Omadefu, representing Keana Constituency; Isimbabi Garba, representing Toto/Gadabuke; Kudu Ajegana, representing Nasarawa Eggon East; and Inarigu Kana, representing Nasarawa/Loko.
Curiously, the Special Adviser on Religious Matters to the Governor, Mallam Mohammed Ali, several elected councillors and other political figures have dumped the APC for the SDP.
Some party members have linked the defections to the recent grassroots mobilisation efforts of Rukaiya Adamu Abubakar, wife of former Inspector-General of Police, IGP Adamu Abubakar
Rukaiya Adamu Abubakar reportedly toured parts of the state recently, during which she met with residents and engaged with people at the grassroots.
Her activities, according to some APC members and political event watchers went a long way to help deepen the growing political realignment in the state.
As the defections continue, the APC political activities in the state been forced to slow down owing to the fact that its campaign structures are seriously affected with the movement out of the party on a daily basis.
The unfolding crisis has seriously raised fresh questions over the capacity and strength of the APC’s political machinery in Nasarawa State and its ability to hold its ranks together ahead of the 2027 general elections.
