Former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu Abubakar has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP) after losing the Nasarawa State governorship primary. The decision was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, when Adamu submitted his resignation letter to APC officials in Lafia, the state capital.
Reasons for Defection
Adamu cited the conduct of the APC governorship primary as a key reason for his departure. He described the process as a "coordinated assault on democracy" that undermined fairness and internal democracy. In a statement issued by his campaign organization, the former police chief criticized the primary held on May 21, 2026, calling it a "disgraceful charade."
Primary Election Results
During the APC primary, Adamu polled 39,675 votes, while Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada secured 195,285 votes to win the party's ticket. Adamu had earlier rejected the idea of a consensus candidate and insisted on a competitive primary.
Formal Resignation and New Party
Adamu formally resigned from the APC at the party's Makama Ward office in Lafia Local Government Area. His resignation letter was addressed to the ward officials, including Deputy Chairman Ahmed Awwal and Secretary Usman Abdullahi. Following his resignation, he immediately joined the SDP to pursue his governorship ambition.
The former IGP's campaign director, Isa Nathaniel, confirmed that the decision was made after extensive consultations with stakeholders, delegates, supporters, and party members across Nasarawa State. The movement officially resigned from the APC and joined the SDP to continue their political journey.
Broader Context
Adamu's defection follows a trend of political realignments in Nasarawa State ahead of the 2027 elections. Notably, the Deputy Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly also defected from the PDP to the APC earlier. Additionally, former Inspector-General of Police Usman Alkali Baba has announced his candidacy for the Yobe State governorship under the APC, expressing concerns over the breakdown of consensus arrangements.
Adamu's move to the SDP is seen as a strategic shift to remain in the governorship race, leveraging the SDP platform to challenge the APC candidate in the upcoming election.
