Former Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jigawa State, citing his desire to contest for the Jigawa South-West Senatorial District seat.
Abba officially announced his defection on Saturday during a political rally held in Bamaina, the hometown of former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido. He was welcomed into the PDP by party leaders and supporters.
Explaining his decision, the former police chief said he believes the PDP provides the right platform to actualise his political aspirations and effectively represent 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,” Abba said.
He noted that the large number of supporters who attended the rally demonstrated the people’s desire for a new direction, adding that his campaign would prioritise security, agriculture and youth empowerment.
“I will take the voice of our farmers, our youths, and our women to the Senate if elected,” he added.
Welcoming Abba into the party, Sule Lamido described the former IGP’s defection as a significant gain for the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“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 in the coming months. He also pointed to the presence of the party’s governorship candidates from Kano, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe and Jigawa states at the event as evidence of growing unity within the party across northern Nigeria.
“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 stated.
The Jigawa State PDP Chairman, Babandi Gumel, said the party had already begun integrating Abba and his supporters into its existing structures across the state.
“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.
Also speaking, the PDP’s governorship candidate in Jigawa State, Mustapha Lamido, expressed confidence that Abba’s defection would improve the party’s prospects ahead of the 2027 elections.
The event ended with enthusiastic supporters waving PDP flags and chanting party slogans as the former Inspector-General of Police was formally welcomed into the opposition party.