Former Kebbi State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Lawali Dakingari, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election.
Dakingari, an influential PDP figure, crossed over to the APC with 2,208 supporters, a development that significantly boosts the APC’s grassroots strength while dealing a setback to the PDP ahead of future electoral contests.
The mass defection took place yesterday in Kebbi State, where the defectors were formally received in Birnin Kebbi by Governor Nasir Idris, alongside senior APC leaders and representatives from all 21 local government areas of the state.
According to APC officials, no fewer than 2,208 supporters of Dakingari from various polling units across Suru Local Government Area abandoned the PDP, marking one of the largest coordinated defections in the state in recent months.
Speaking during the reception, Dakingari said the decision was taken “in good faith and without any preconditions,” adding that confidence in Governor Idris’s leadership style and respect for established political legacies informed the collective move.
He disclosed that the defection bloc included long-standing PDP loyalists as well as members of other political parties, noting that additional political heavyweights, including former council chairmen, are expected to join in the coming weeks as consultations continue.
Meanwhile, APC State Chairman, Abubakar Zuru, described the development as “a major numerical and strategic boost,” urging the new entrants to complete their registration and actively participate in voter mobilisation ahead of future elections.
Governor Idris welcomed the defectors, saying the growing alignment reflects shared aspirations across Suru and beyond. “Today, we are one family, committed to peace, security, and the delivery of tangible dividends of democracy,” he said.
