Former ADC Women’s Leader Defects to Nigeria’s Ruling APC

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

A former National Woman Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kayauta Yakubu, has defected to the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).

She was received on Tuesday at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja by the party’s National Woman Leader, Mary Alile-Idele, who stood in for the APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda. The event was attended by party officials, supporters, and the APC Chairman for Kuje Area Council, Adamu Danladi Ibrahim.

Speaking at the ceremony, Alile-Idele described Yakubu’s move as a step into “a growing and forward-moving political platform,” saying the APC remained open to Nigerians willing to support national development. She said the party’s expanding membership reflected increasing public trust in its leadership.

She also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for what she termed significant reforms, improved infrastructure, empowerment programmes, and the expansion of student loan access through the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

In a remark delivered on behalf of the APC National Chairman, Alile-Idele said: “We are delighted to welcome the former National Woman Leader of ADC who has chosen to leave a sinking ship and join a moving train. The APC is not shutting its doors to anyone.”

Yakubu, who hails from Rubochi Ward in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, said she decided to join the ruling party after assessing what she called the progress recorded under the APC government, particularly in security and development.

“I felt I was wasting my time in my former party,” she said. “Nobody persuaded me. I joined voluntarily because of the progress the country is making. I want to contribute my quota and let people know the FCT has a daughter who can serve meaningfully.”

She added that she was returning to the APC after leaving during the merger years, describing herself as “a lost daughter now found.”

Kuje APC Chairman Adamu Danladi Ibrahim welcomed her return, saying Yakubu remained a founding member of the party with strong mobilisation capacity. He expressed confidence that her defection would strengthen the APC ahead of the Area Council elections.