Abdullahi Adamu Rejects Claims of Defection to ADC

The political atmosphere in Nigeria was briefly stirred this week following widespread rumors suggesting that the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, had jumped ship to the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC). The reports, which gained significant traction across various social media platforms, hinted at a major realignment within the nation’s political landscape. However, the veteran politician has moved swiftly to douse the flames of speculation, describing the narrative as a baseless fabrication designed to stir unnecessary controversy.

Speaking with journalists on Thursday, Adamu was emphatic in his denial, dismissing the viral reports as the work of attention-seeking social media influencers. The former Nasarawa State Governor made it clear that he remains a committed member of the ruling party, noting that his political pedigree does not allow for the kind of “ungrateful” behavior suggested by the rumors. He emphasized that after serving at the highest level of the APC’s leadership, he has no reason to abandon the house he helped build and sustain through various electoral cycles.

The debunked report had suggested that Adamu’s alleged move to the ADC was the culmination of months of silent friction and dissatisfaction with the internal direction of the APC leadership. The rumors painted a picture of a deepening rift that would have dealt a significant blow to the ruling party, given Adamu’s status as a founding pillar of the organization. Supporters of the theory pointed to his quiet demeanor since the 2023 general elections as a sign of impending departure, but Adamu has now labeled such interpretations as a total misunderstanding of his political philosophy.

“I am not an ungrateful politician,” Adamu stated firmly, reinforcing his loyalty to the party and its current trajectory. He expressed frustration with the era of digital misinformation, where political figures are often the targets of unverified claims. He suggested that those behind the report were merely trying to bait him into a public spat or “draw him out” for their own gain. Despite the pressure, the elder statesman maintained that he has nothing to prove to anyone regarding his partisan commitments.

Adamu’s political journey is one of the most storied in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, spanning decades of high-level service. A two-term governor and a former senator, he initially rose to prominence under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he served as the Secretary of the Board of Trustees during the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. His transition to the APC years ago was a landmark event that helped shift the balance of power in Northern Nigeria, eventually leading to his appointment as National Chairman in 2022.

During his time as the APC National Chairman, Adamu was a central figure in the lead-up to the 2023 presidential primaries. While he famously advocated for the candidacy of Senate President Ahmed Lawan, he later steered the party through the general elections that saw President Bola Tinubu emerge victorious. His tenure came to an end in mid-2023 shortly after the new administration took office, but he has since remained a respected figure within the party’s elder ranks, often consulted on matters of regional and national strategy.

The recent rumor of his defection to the ADC appears to have been fueled by the typical “silly season” of political speculation that precedes local government elections and mid-term realignments. By claiming that he was seeking a more “stable” platform, the fabricators of the story tried to tap into the narrative of internal party friction. Adamu, however, insisted that his current position is one of contentment and institutional loyalty, rather than one of a disgruntled seeker of new opportunities.

As the dust settles on this latest social media firestorm, Adamu’s rebuttal serves as a reminder of the volatile nature of Nigeria’s political information space. The ADC, which was the supposed beneficiary of this phantom defection, has not issued any formal statement on the matter, further indicating that the entire episode was likely a digital mirage. For now, the “Iron Man” of Nasarawa remains firmly within the APC fold, counseling his followers to ignore the noise and focus on the party’s mandate.

The elder statesman’s decision to speak out reflects a broader concern among Nigeria’s political elite regarding the impact of unverified digital reporting on national stability. By asserting his presence and his loyalty, Adamu has closed a chapter of speculation that threatened to distract from the governing party’s current focus. His message remains consistent: he has reached the peak of his career and sees no reason to tarnish his legacy with a late-stage flip to an opposition platform.