Tambuwal not defecting to APC — Aide

The media office of former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has dismissed reports that he is planning to defect from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the claims as false and baseless.

The office said the senator remained committed to the ADC and was focused on strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued on Monday, Tambuwal’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Prince Daniel, said photographs and video clips circulating on social media had been misinterpreted as evidence of a possible political realignment.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Tambuwal has no plans to join the APC. Suggestions to the contrary are false, baseless and should be disregarded,” the statement said.

The denial comes amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, with opposition parties and their prominent figures seeking to build alliances and strengthen their political positions.

Tambuwal, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives and two-term governor of Sokoto State, remains an influential figure in Nigeria’s opposition politics.

According to his media office, the senator’s relationships with politicians across party lines should not be interpreted as an indication that he intends to abandon the ADC.

The statement described Tambuwal as a statesman whose years in public service had earned him friendships and relationships across the political divide.

“The photographs and video clips being circulated do not establish any defection plan. Political civility is no proof of political realignment,” Daniel said.

“Exchanging greetings or interacting with members of another party does not amount to negotiating a change of allegiance,” he added.

The media office maintained that Tambuwal’s political priority was to consolidate the ADC and mobilise support ahead of the next general elections.

“Senator Tambuwal remains firmly committed to the ADC. His focus is on strengthening the party, building broad cooperation and mobilising Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections,” the statement said.

Tambuwal governed Sokoto State from 2015 to 2023 before being elected senator representing Sokoto South Senatorial District in the 2023 general elections. He previously contested the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party.

His political activities have attracted attention as opposition parties consider possible alliances and strategies to challenge the APC in 2027.

However, his media office urged Nigerians not to allow speculation about politicians’ party affiliations to distract from pressing national issues, including economic hardship, insecurity and governance.

“At a time when Nigerians are demanding answers to pressing economic, security and governance challenges, public discussion deserves substance and truth,” the statement said.

It also appealed to media organisations and social media commentators to verify reports about the senator’s political activities with his office before publication.

“Speculation must never be presented as fact,” Daniel said.