In what could be regarded as a major setback for the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State, well over 5,000 of its members from across the 25 local government areas of the state have shifted their allegiance to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition.

The members announced their defection on Sunday after an expanded meeting at the Haske Hotel in Minna, the state capital, attended by prominent leaders of the party from the 25 local government areas of the state.

The meeting was attended by five PDP leaders selected from each of the 25 local government areas who read out the list of all the defectors, local government by local government.

The members accused the party leadership of a complete sell-out, thereby denying the party the status of a credible opposition in the state.

The members said the party leadership has run the party like an arm of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state in the last two years.

They also cited the lacklustre performance of its leaders, which has made the party lose every election in the state.

A communiqué issued at the end of their meeting resolved that the PDP in the state would dissolve into the ADC, reach out to the grassroots for proper party membership and voter registration, and work with other opposition political parties in the state ahead of the unveiling of the coalition in the state.

Among the leaders of the PDP in the state who attended the meeting are former House of Representatives members, Rt. Hon Baba Shehu Agaie and Abdullahi Shehu Rijau; former governorship aspirant of the party, Rt Hon Engr Mukhtar Ahmad; former Secretary to the State Government, Rt. Hon Ndako Kpaki; M B Tsado; Hon. Tsowa Gamunu; Muhammad Nazeer Abdullahi; former Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Musa Ma’ali; Rt. Hon. Ndanusa Hassan Aliyu, among others.

The communiqué reads in part: “The meeting was convened in furtherance to a meeting of PDP Coalition stakeholders held on 13th July 2025. In attendance were at least 5 PDP members/leaders selected from each of the 25 LGAs.

“The meeting acknowledges the failure of leadership at all levels of governance in Nigeria resulting in a catastrophic state of insecurity, pervasive poverty, and unbelievable decline of the national economy that negatively affects all aspects of national life.

“The meeting recognised the failures of the PDP in providing opposition at the national and state levels.

“The meeting recognised the inability of the PDP to provide credible opposition in Niger State and in Nigeria. The meeting noted with dissatisfaction the lacklustre performance of party officials in leading the party.

“The meeting observed that the PDP has become an extension of the ruling party, hence no longer a credible and viable alternative for opposition in Niger State and in Nigeria.

“The meeting applauded the efforts of national opposition leaders in Nigeria and the birthing of ADC as the most credible opposition platform in Nigeria.

“The meeting was equally inspired by and commends the appointment of Sen. David Mark, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi as interim National Chairman, interim National Secretary, and interim National Publicity Secretary of the ADC.

“The meeting resolved to join the national coalition party – African Democratic Congress (ADC).

“The meeting resolved to reach out to the grassroots for proper party membership and voter registration.

“The meeting resolved to work together with other opposition political parties in Niger State on a date to be fixed for the unveiling of ADC in Niger State.

“The participants were generally impressed by the turnout for the meeting and the commitment of the participants,” it further added. (Daily Sun, but headline rejigged)