Close Associate of Former Defence Minister Leaves APC

Zahraddeen Abubakar, who previously served as the Chairman of Gwaram Local Government in Jigawa State, has announced his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Abubakar, a close associate of former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru, held the council chair during Badaru’s second term as Governor of Jigawa State.

In a letter dated February 28, addressed to the APC ward chairperson of Zandam Nagogo and also sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Abubakar cited his rationale for stepping down.

He expressed that the APC has strayed from its foundational values established at its inception in 2013, which compelled him to resign.

Abubakar is anticipated to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as he currently serves as the Jigawa State Chairman of the National Association of Former Elected Local Government Chairmen (NALGON).

Recently, he was appointed to the APC Ward and Local Government Congress Screening Committee for Ogun State.

His resignation follows high-profile meetings involving his political mentor, Mohammed Badaru, along with opposition leaders in the state, which have fueled speculation about Badaru’s potential defection to the ADC.

Badaru has recently met with Mustapha Lamido, who was the 2023 governorship candidate for the PDP and the son of veteran politician Sule Lamido, along with other opposition figures.

Despite the discussions, Badaru stated that the purpose of these meetings was to fortify unity within the APC in Jigawa State and the surrounding North-west region in preparation for the 2027 general elections, as well as to consolidate support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign.