Ex-ADC woman leader defects to APC
The former National Woman Leader of the African Democratic Congress, Kayauta Yakubu, has formally defected to the All Progressives Congress.
The defection ceremony took place on Tuesday at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja, where Yakubu was officially received into the ruling party by the APC National Woman Leader, Mary Alile-Idele, alongside her supporters and political associates.
This was confirmed in a statement posted on the APC X handle on Tuesday.
Speaking at the event on behalf of the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, Alile-Idele welcomed Yakubu to the party, describing her decision as a move into “a growing and forward-moving political platform.”
She added that the APC remains open to Nigerians willing to contribute to national development and said the party’s expanding membership reflected public confidence in its leadership and policies.
Alile-Idele also commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for reforms, infrastructural development, empowerment initiatives, and student loan programmes under NELFUND, which she said have improved access to higher education for Nigerian youths.
Speaking at the ceremony, Yakubu explained that her defection from the ADC was based on her assessment of governance and development under the APC-led administration.
“I decided to join APC because I have seen the governance and progress of the administration, especially in security and development. Nobody persuaded me to join.
“I made this decision on my own because of the progress the country is making. I want to serve my people and work for them. I want people to know that FCT has a daughter who can contribute meaningfully in APC.
“APC is not new to me. I was part of the party during the merger but later left. Today, because of the administration’s progress, I have decided to come back home. I was a lost daughter, but now I am found,” she said.
The APC Chairman for Kuje Area Council, Alhaji Adamu Ibrahim, also welcomed Yakubu back, describing her as a founding member with proven mobilisation capacity.
The defection comes amid a broader trend of political realignments in Nigeria, with several high-profile figures moving to the APC in recent months.
Some opposition figures, including former presidential candidate Peter Obi, have joined the ADC, aligning with others seeking to challenge the government in the 2027 general elections.
