Former Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba (retd.), has officially defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), marking a significant political shift ahead of the 2027 general elections. The announcement was made on Saturday during a courtesy visit to elder statesman and founding PDP member, Sule Lamido, at his hometown of Bamaina in Jigawa State. Abba cited his desire to serve his people and contest the Jigawa South-West Senatorial seat as the main reason for his move, following unsuccessful attempts to secure the APC ticket despite meeting all screening requirements.
Abba explained that he had aspired to run for the Senate under the APC but was barred from participating in the party’s primary election, even after successfully completing the screening process. He emphasized that his motivation has always been public service, and with his experience, education, and good health, he believes the PDP will value his contributions more. “You are aware that I aspired to become a senator under the APC, but unfortunately, I was not even allowed to participate in the primary election after successfully passing the screening process. My motivation has always been to serve my community, and with the experience, education, and good health that God has blessed me with, I have decided to join the PDP, where my contributions will be appreciated,” he stated during the event.
Sule Lamido, who received Abba at his residence, hailed the defection as a major boost for the PDP. He described Abba as a credible and widely respected figure whose entry strengthens the party’s position in the upcoming elections. “This is a major catch for the PDP. A personality with Abba’s credentials brings credibility, experience, and wider acceptance to our party,” Lamido said. He also expressed confidence that more politicians would join the PDP, noting the presence of the party’s governorship candidates from Kano, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, and Jigawa states at the gathering as a sign of growing regional unity and political alignment.
The Jigawa State Chairman of the PDP, Babandi Gumel, confirmed that the party has already begun integrating Abba and his supporters into its structures across the state. Gumel highlighted that Abba’s arrival strengthens the PDP’s presence in Jigawa South-West, a key senatorial zone. “With the entry of IGP Abba and his numerous supporters, the PDP is becoming stronger, particularly in Jigawa South-West,” he said. The defection is expected to influence voter dynamics in the region and could signal a broader realignment of political loyalties ahead of the 2027 elections. Abba’s move underscores the increasing competition between major parties as they seek to consolidate support and secure strategic positions in critical constituencies across northern Nigeria.
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