The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded evidence from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to substantiate its claim that some of the opposition party’s House of Assembly candidates in Jigawa, Plateau, Taraba and Zamfara states had defected to the ruling party.
The ADC described the alleged defectors as individuals who had no recognised status within its structure, insisting that they were neither its candidates nor leaders.
In a statement, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, challenged the APC to identify the positions the individuals allegedly held in the opposition party and provide details of the constituencies they supposedly contested.
“The APC cannot assemble random individuals at its secretariat, confer imaginary ADC credentials on them and then announce their defection,” Abdullahi said.
The opposition party said while the APC was free to receive visitors at its secretariat, it should not present them to the public as ADC candidates without evidence establishing their political credentials.
The ADC also questioned the APC’s explanation that the alleged defectors were drawn to the ruling party because of what it described as the “remarkable transformation” of Northern Nigeria under the current administration.
According to the opposition party, the claim fails to reflect the economic challenges facing many Nigerians, citing rising food prices, insecurity and increasing household expenses.
The party accused the APC of using the alleged defection ceremony to create an impression of growing support ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The ADC maintained that Nigerians were more interested in concrete improvements in their living conditions than political ceremonies announcing defections.
The dispute comes amid increasing political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections, with major parties stepping up mobilisation efforts and highlighting defections as evidence of expanding political support.
