Ex-Police Chief Says PDP Offers Best Platform as Opposition Welcomes Defection Ahead of 2027 Elections
Former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba, has formally defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring his intention to contest for the Jigawa South-West Senatorial seat in the 2027 general election.
Abba announced his defection on Saturday during a political rally held in Bamaina, the hometown of former Jigawa State Governor and PDP chieftain, Alhaji Sule Lamido. The event attracted party leaders, supporters, and a large crowd of loyalists who welcomed the former police chief into the PDP.
Explaining his decision to leave the ruling APC, Abba said he believes the PDP provides the right platform to deliver effective representation for the people of Jigawa South-West in the National Assembly.
“I have left the APC for the PDP because I believe this is the platform to deliver real representation for Jigawa South-West,” he declared.
The former IGP said his senatorial ambition would focus on addressing key issues affecting the district, including security, agriculture, youth empowerment, and economic development.
“I will take the voice of our farmers, our youths and our women to the Senate if elected,” Abba said, adding that the large turnout at the rally reflected growing public support for political change in Jigawa State.
Receiving the former police boss into the PDP, former Governor Sule Lamido described the defection as a major political gain for the opposition party and a significant boost to its preparations for the 2027 elections.
“This is a big catch for the PDP. A man of Abba’s record brings credibility and reach to our party,” Lamido said.
He expressed confidence that Abba’s entry into the PDP would strengthen the party’s chances in Jigawa South-West and encourage more politicians to defect to the opposition.
“Suleiman Abba served this country with honour as IGP. Now he wants to serve Jigawa South-West in the Senate. We will stand with him,” Lamido added.
Also speaking, the Jigawa State PDP Chairman, Alhaji Babandi Gumel, said the party had activated its structures across wards, local government areas, and zones to integrate Abba and his supporters into the party.
“Today, PDP is getting stronger in Jigawa South-West with the coming of IGP Abba and his thousands of supporters. Our ward, LGA and zonal executives are on ground to integrate everyone into the PDP family,” Gumel stated.
The PDP’s governorship candidate in Jigawa State, Mustapha Lamido, also described Abba’s defection as a significant development that further strengthens the party’s prospects ahead of the 2027 general election.
Party leaders at the rally noted that the presence of PDP governorship candidates from Kano, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, and Jigawa states reflected increasing unity within the opposition in Northern Nigeria and signalled the party’s determination to mount a stronger challenge in the next electoral cycle.
