By Abubakar Rabilu Gombe
A former governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State, Alhaji Abdulkadir Hamma Saleh, has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in a move that could reshape political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Hamma Saleh, who contested the PDP governorship ticket against Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami announced his decision in a statement made available to journalists in Gombe.
He called on his supporters across the state to join him in the APC and support the party’s candidates at all levels in the forthcoming elections.
The defection comes amid intensifying political activities in Gombe State, with major parties and political stakeholders positioning themselves for the 2027 governorship contest.
Hamma Saleh’s move is particularly noteworthy given the lingering crisis surrounding the PDP’s governorship ticket. The party’s initial primary election, which produced Pantami as its candidate, was nullified by a court that ordered a fresh exercise.
The ensuing legal battle and subsequent developments have complicated the opposition party’s preparations for the election, raising questions about its ability to resolve internal disputes and present a united front.
Although the immediate electoral impact of Hamma Saleh’s defection remains uncertain, his appeal to supporters to follow him into the APC could influence political calculations in the state as the parties intensify efforts to consolidate their support bases.
His departure adds to the unfolding political realignments in Gombe ahead of the 2027 election, with attention increasingly focused on how defections, internal party disputes and emerging alliances will shape the contest for the governorship.
