The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State has significantly strengthened its ranks following a major political realignment marked by the defection of several high-profile lawmakers and thousands of their supporters. At a mega rally held on Saturday at Murtala Square in Kaduna, four members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly and five members of the House of Representatives, along with their constituents, officially joined the APC.

These defections have dramatically shifted the political landscape in Kaduna. The APC now boasts 13 legislators from Kaduna State in the House of Representatives, reducing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to just three. Similarly, within the Kaduna State House of Assembly, the APC now holds a commanding majority with 26 members, compared to the PDP's eight.

The rally was a grand affair, attended by key national and state figures. Dignitaries present included the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Abbas Lawal; and the Chairman of the North West Development Commission, Alhaji Lawal Samaila Yakawada. They were joined by Governor Uba Sani and thousands of enthusiastic APC supporters.

Addressing the decampees, Governor Uba Sani extended a warm welcome, emphasizing that the APC operates as one family, free from discrimination. He assured new members that they would enjoy the same privileges as long-standing members, highlighting the importance of grassroots engagement and representing the people who elected them. Governor Sani reflected on the party's growth, noting that the APC had only four House of Representatives members from Kaduna in 2023, a number that has now surged to 14. Looking ahead, he confidently predicted that the APC would secure approximately 95 percent of the total votes in Kaduna State in the 2027 general elections, a significant increase from his earlier projection of 80 percent.

The Governor attributed the overwhelming influx of elected members into the APC to his administration's unwavering commitment to justice, fairness, and inclusivity. He proudly stated that by leveraging Kaduna State's diverse population as a strength, his government has achieved an unprecedented period without a single ethno-religious crisis. He reiterated the party's belief in politics as a tool for unity and working for the common good, transcending religious, ethnic, or political affiliations, and focusing on the state's collective interest. Governor Sani also highlighted the equitable distribution of development across all 23 local governments and three geopolitical zones of the state.

Other speakers echoed these sentiments of optimism and party dominance. Professor Nentawe Yilwatda hailed the APC as the “promised land” for Nigerian politicians and endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani for a second term based on their achievements. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas celebrated the APC's unparalleled political dominance in Kaduna State, declaring it “the party to beat” across all zones and asserting that the party had never been stronger.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Honourable Husseini Jalo expressed gratitude to Governor Uba Sani and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their exemplary leadership at both state and national levels. He confidently asserted that Kaduna State is now effectively a one-party state and forecasted the re-election of both the President and Governor Sani for their second terms.

The federal legislators who officially defected from the PDP to the APC included Hon Sadiq Ango, representing Sabon Gari federal constituency; Hon Andulkarim Husseini Ahmad, representing Kaduna South; Hon Aliyu Mustapha Abdullahi, representing Ikara/Kubau; and Hon Hussaini Jalo, representing Igabi. Furthermore, other prominent figures who joined the APC were former Senator Danjuma Lah (PDP), former Senator Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi (NNPP), former Senator Shehu Sani (PDP), former Governor Muktar Ramalan Yero, and Hon Saidu Adamu, the State Secretary of the PDP.