Niger PDP Faces Setback as Engineer AJ Joins ADC with Thousands of Supporters
By Yahaya Zakka Minna.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship hopeful for the 2023 general elections, Engineer Abdullahi Isah Jankara, has defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) along with thousands of his supporters in Niger State.
Engineer Jankara disclosed that his recent stakeholders’ meeting with the PDP took place at Baban Gwari in Birinin Maza Tashibo ward in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State. He stated that Nigeria’s alternative lies in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He urged voters to reconsider, as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has disappointed Nigerians through misrule, disunity, hardship, corruption, insecurity, and has betrayed the trust placed in them by the people. He called on Nigerians to join the ADC to save both the state and Nigeria from dishonest governments.
The former PDP stalwart, also a former State Controller of the now-defunct Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), said he is defecting along with his supporters after consulting with key party stakeholders. In an interview, he also announced his intention to run for the Niger State governorship in 2027.
Engineer Isah Jankara explained that he cannot stay in the PDP, which he describes as surrounded by leeches pretending to be loyal members by day but switching to the APC by night, employing political tricks that further damage the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
He is moving with over 1,500 supporters and well-wishers to the new party, assuring that the ADC will lead the country out of poverty, build trust, and promote unity—bringing significant improvements in infrastructure and human development across Niger State and Nigeria as a whole.
PDP chairman of Lapai Local Government, Bello Abubakar Ebbo, clarified that a political party is not a religion; therefore, anyone unhappy with the party’s direction can leave, but the party itself remains intact. He wished Engineer Abdullahi Isah Jankara success in his political pursuits.
In her remarks, councilwoman Hajiya Halima Cheku expressed regret over Engineer AJ’s departure from PDP along with some supporters, while wishing him well in his ambitions.
The large crowd unanimously pledged their support, stating they would follow him to any political party he joins, noting that he has been the sole financer of the party in the local government as well as the one who bought the nomination forms for all the aspirants in the recent council elections.
