ASLAM Aliyu, a close ally of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar in Zamfara State, has resigned from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
News Point Nigeria reports that Aliyu announced her decision in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, explaining that the move followed extensive reflection on Nigeria’s political direction and the ability of the opposition to provide an alternative governance model.
The former opposition chieftain said she spent over two decades working within the political camp of Atiku Abubakar, the ADC presidential candidate for the 2027 election, maintaining that her loyalty remained unwavering throughout the period.
“For almost two decades, I worked tirelessly within the political camp of H.E Atiku Abubakar ADC Presidential Candidate 2027. Throughout that entire period, my loyalty never wavered,” the statement read.
However, Aliyu said after years of political engagement, she had come to the conclusion that the opposition lacked a meaningful development blueprint and a viable, sustainable plan for rescuing the country.
“However, after almost two decades of dedicated engagement, it has become undeniably clear that the opposition lacks a meaningful development blueprint or a viable and sustainable national rescue plan.”
The Zamfara-born politician accused the ADC of having no concrete agenda for Nigeria beyond criticising the government without presenting workable solutions to the challenges facing the nation.
She argued that the country’s political culture must move beyond what she described as theatrical criticism and embrace measurable progress, development and practical solutions.
Declaring her support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Aliyu called on Nigerians, particularly youths and women, to support the current administration, insisting that the opposition would not be able to defeat Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
“I am a mother, calling on patriotic Nigerian youths, women, and forward-thinking opposition members to abandon counterproductive politics and join hands with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” she said.
“There is no vacancy in Aso Rock Villa, as Bola Ahmed Tinubu will emerge as the winner of the presidential election come 2027, by the grace of Almighty Allah.”
Aliyu said her decision to join the APC was driven by a desire to contribute more effectively to national development through a structured political platform capable of delivering meaningful change.
Welcoming her into the ruling party, the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, described Aliyu’s defection as a significant addition to the party’s ranks.
In a message shared on X on Monday, Yilwatda welcomed Aliyu into the APC and said her decision aligned with the party’s efforts to advance the ideals of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Welcome to the All Progressives Congress, Gimbiya Dr Aslam Aliyu. You have made the right switch to join millions of other Progressives across Nigeria in furthering the ideals of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We are proud to have you in our folds,” Yilwatda wrote.
Aliyu was previously the leader of Project Atiku Abubakar (PAA) 2027 and Zamfara Top 10, a platform comprising digital media stakeholders and online mobilisers that promoted Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 election.
In July 2025, the former vice-president described Aliyu as a “top Zamfara politician” during a meeting with her team, acknowledging her group’s role in previous electoral engagements and opposition mobilisation efforts.
Her defection marks another political realignment ahead of the 2027 general election, as major political parties continue efforts to consolidate support across different regions of the country.