Tambuwal exits PDP, joins ADC in fresh party switch

Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR, former Governor of Sokoto State and Senator representing Sokoto South Senatorial District, has formally resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking yet another major party realignment in his long political career.

In a letter dated 11 March 2026 and addressed to his ward chairman in Tambuwal/Shinfiri Ward of Tambuwal Local Government Area, Sokoto State, Tambuwal announced his resignation with immediate effect, citing “persistent internal crises, leadership disagreements, and growing divisions” within the PDP as the overriding reasons for his exit. The former Speaker of the House of Representatives said the decision followed “deep reflection and extensive consultations” with political associates and supporters.

Tambuwal, who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2015 and as Governor of Sokoto State for two terms between 2015 and 2023, described the PDP as a critical platform that gave him the opportunity to serve in both the legislative and executive arms of government. He thanked the party for the “privilege” of serving as Speaker and as Governor, but lamented that ongoing conflicts have weakened the unity and strategic direction that once defined the once‑dominant opposition party.

Joining ADC

Following his resignation, Tambuwal has formally joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) alongside an array of associates and supporters in Sokoto State. In a statement distributed through his public office, he said his decision was driven by a conviction that Nigeria requires a stronger political platform rooted in integrity, accountability, inclusiveness, and a clear commitment to national development.

The move signals a potential recalibration of political forces in the North‑West, where the ADC has been attempting to consolidate a foothold against the more established PDP and All Progressives Congress (APC). Tambuwal’s switch also spotlights the fragility of internal cohesion within the PDP at a time when the party is preparing for future elections and leadership contests.

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Political Track Record

Tambuwal’s career has been defined by frequent party transitions. He first rose to national prominence as a member of the House of Representatives on the PDP platform, representing the Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency for three terms. In October 2014, he defected to the APC while still serving as Speaker of the House, later contesting and winning the governorship of Sokoto State in 2015 on the APC ticket.

In 2018, he returned to the PDP in what was widely interpreted as a strategic realignment ahead of the 2019 political cycle. He sought the PDP presidential ticket for the 2023 election, declaring his candidacy in January 2022 but later withdrew at the party’s primary and rallied behind former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. After completing his tenure as governor in 2023, Tambuwal returned to the National Assembly as PDP Senator for Sokoto South before this latest exit.

What this means for 2027

Analysts say Tambuwal’s shift to the ADC may energise the party’s profile in the North‑West, but it also raises questions about the depth of his support network and the extent to which other PDP stalwarts in Sokoto and the North will follow him. The ADC now faces the twin challenge of leveraging his name to expand its base, while demonstrating that it can offer a coherent alternative to the PDP and APC in the 2027 electoral cycle.

Tambuwal, however, has reiterated his commitment to the service of Nigeria and to the ideals of democracy, justice, and national unity, insisting that his latest move is less about personal ambition than about building “a purer, more purpose‑driven” political environment.