LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Inspector-General of Police Suleiman Abba has left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jigawa State, declaring his intention to contest for the Jigawa South-West Senatorial District seat ahead of the 2027 general election.
Abba announced his defection on Saturday during a political rally held in Bamaina, the hometown of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, where party leaders and supporters welcomed him into the PDP.
Explaining his decision, the former police chief said the move was driven by his ambition to represent Jigawa South-West Senatorial District 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 announced.
Abba stated that the large crowd at the event reflected growing public support for political change in the state.
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He pledged to prioritize security, agriculture and youth employment if elected to the Senate.
“I will take the voice of our farmers, our youths, and our women to the Senate if elected,” Abba added.
Reacting to the defection, Sule Lamido described Abba’s entry into the PDP as a major political gain for the party ahead of the 2027 general election.
“This is a big catch for the PDP. A man of Abba’s record brings credibility and reach to our party,” Lamido said.
The former governor expressed confidence that more politicians would join the PDP, noting that the attendance of the party’s governorship candidates from Kano, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe and Jigawa states demonstrated growing unity across the northern region.
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“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,” he pledged.
Also speaking at the rally, Jigawa PDP Chairman Babandi Gumel assured Abba and his supporters of a smooth integration into the party’s structure.
“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 said.
The PDP’s governorship candidate in Jigawa State, Mustapha Lamido, also welcomed the former police chief, noting that his defection would improve the party’s prospects ahead of the next general election.
The rally ended with supporters waving PDP flags and chanting party slogans as Abba was formally received into the party, signalling what party leaders described as another step in strengthening the PDP’s political base in Jigawa State.
