Supporters of former Sokoto State governor, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, operating under the banner of the Bafarawa Akida Movement, have formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state.
The decision was announced on Wednesday following a high-level consultative meeting involving elders and leaders of the movement from all 23 local government areas of Sokoto State.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the chairman of the movement, Prof. Hamza Maishanu, said the defection was the outcome of extensive consultations and reflected the collective will of members.
“If you can recall, we were once in the PDP, but due to certain developments and internal crises, we all resigned our membership,” Maishanu said.
“However, we retained our political structure across wards, local governments and the state.”
He explained that after leaving the PDP, the group adopted the name Bafarawa Akida—a Hausa phrase meaning followers of the political ideology of Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa.
“We retained the name as a symbol of unity and loyalty to the principles of our principal mentor,” he said. “These principles include justice, honesty, transparency and people-oriented governance, which he exemplified during his tenure as governor.”
Maishanu said recent political realignments in the state prompted supporters of the movement to seek clarity on its political direction, leading to the convening of the elders’ meeting.
“Our supporters wanted to know where we were heading politically,” he said. “So we invited elders from all the 23 local governments to freely express their views, and the decision they reached was unanimous.”
According to him, the elders resolved to support the administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu, citing its performance and cordial relationship with Bafarawa.
“The position of our elders was very clear,” Maishanu said. “There is an administration in the state that is delivering dividends of democracy and has shown respect to our principal. Based on this, we resolved to join hands with the state government.”
He confirmed that the endorsement of the governor translated into a formal decision to join the APC.
“That is the clear implication,” he said. “We are moving to the APC as a political party, and we are ready to work with the government to advance its developmental agenda.”
Maishanu disclosed that further consultations would be held with other organs of the movement to formally convey the decision and complete the necessary procedures.
He dismissed speculations linking the defection to 2027 political calculations or pressure from national political figures, describing such claims as unfounded.
“Our decision has nothing to do with 2027 or any external pressure,” he said. “It is purely based on our assessment of governance in the state and the respect accorded to our principal.”
He also described the move as a return to familiar political ground, noting that Bafarawa was among the founding members of the APC and served as chairman of its Constitution Drafting Committee at inception.
“In essence, we are returning home,” Maishanu said.
He stressed that the leadership of the movement was merely implementing the collective decision of its supporters.
“This is not a decision taken by the leadership alone,” he added. “It is the will of the people, and in a democratic setting, when the people decide, the leadership must follow.”
Meanwhile, the former governor has clarified insinuations surrounding the defection, reaffirming his decision to quit active politics and denying claims that he has personally joined the APC.
Bafarawa said he merely supported the decision of his followers, stressing that he could not deny them their right to political association.
“I have already told you that I quit active politics,” he said. “I am not joining the APC, but my supporters cannot be denied their rights of association.
“When they came to me with their intention to move, I asked them to consult widely. When they returned and said they were joining the APC, I gave them my blessings.
“Even if they had not joined the APC, I would not oppose Governor Ahmed Aliyu, who respects me and treats me like a father. I will rather support him to succeed,” he added.
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