Political Earthquake in Bosso as 4,100 Defectors Join ADC

By Awwal Umar Kontagora The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Niger State has received no fewer than 4,100 defectors from the...

By Awwal Umar Kontagora

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Niger State has received no fewer than 4,100 defectors from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Labour Party (LP), and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bosso Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the ADC in Niger State, Alhaji Musa Hassan, said the mass defection did not come as a surprise, given what he described as the growing hardship faced by residents of the state.

According to him, the worsening security situation has made life unbearable for many rural dwellers, who can no longer sleep peacefully in their homes, let alone pursue meaningful development.

Alhaji Musa Hassan disclosed that party leaders in Bosso LGA presented defection documents of 4,100 persons drawn from ten wards in the local government area, who formally renounced their former parties to join the ADC.

Following the reception of the defectors, the ADC raised its party flag and officially opened its Bosso Local Government office, making it the first political party to establish an office in the area. The event was attended by governorship aspirants, as well as members of federal and state party councils.

Addressing party members, Alhaji Musa Hassan called on committed and principled individuals who genuinely desire to restore the dignity of Niger State and Nigeria to join the ADC. He cautioned against opportunists who only seek elective positions and abandon the party if their ambitions are not realised.

In her remarks, the Deputy National Youth Leader of the ADC in charge of the North-Central zone, Hajiya Hassana Shu’aibu Dada, urged women to rise and create political awareness among themselves. She warned against what she described as “politics of food items,” which, she said, often leaves voters neglected until the next election cycle.

She encouraged women to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and use them to vote for the ADC in order to “liberate the people from a directionless government.”

On internal party issues, Alhaji Musa Hassan said leadership disputes within the ADC in Niger State had been resolved, affirming that unity and development informed all decisions taken. He explained that Auta Muhammad was allocated the position of chairman in ten local government areas and would also continue to serve as the party’s Deputy Public Relations Officer at the state level.

Earlier, the Chairman of the ADC in Bosso Local Government Area, Engineer Umar Usman Maikunkele, commended the state and national leadership of the party for the successful reception of the defectors and the opening of the party office in the area.

He said the party had constituted leadership structures across the ten wards in Bosso, with each ward having at least 30 officials occupying various strategic positions. According to him, former party leaders were accommodated in the structure to promote unity and collective progress.

Also speaking, Saidu Gwarjiko, who represented Dr. M. K. Kutagi, called on opposition parties to unite in order to end APC rule in the state. He lamented that Niger State had failed to reach its developmental potential under the current administration, accusing the government of mismanagement and neglect of critical sectors.

He further alleged that funds received in the name of loans for development projects were misappropriated, stressing the need for a change in leadership.

In his contribution, the Deputy Chairman of the ADC in Niger North, Abdulmumini Dantata Ibeto, clarified issues surrounding the alleged removal of the party’s deputy chairman at the state level. He said the National Secretariat had affirmed the legitimacy of the current leadership, stressing that no official removal had taken place.

According to him, any leadership change would only occur through a properly constituted congress, adding that party members seeking new positions should wait for due process.

The meeting was attended by leaders of the SDP and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Speaking on behalf of the NNPP, Alhaji Muhammad Damisa, the party’s state chairman and former IPAC chairman, praised the ADC’s ideology and pledged continued collaboration between the NNPP and ADC to rescue Niger State from its current challenges.