‘These people are not our candidates’ – ADC rejects APC defection claim

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed claims by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that some of its candidates from Jigawa, Plateau, Taraba and Zamfara states have switched allegiance to the ruling party. In a statement released by ADC's National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party described the individuals recently cited by the APC as "alleged defectors" as people who do not hold any recognized position within the opposition party.

According to Abdullahi, the APC has incorrectly associated the party's name and identities with these individuals who are neither its candidates nor leaders. ADC challenged the APC to identify the specific positions these people held within the ADC, the constituencies they represented, and the timeframes during which they served.

The ADC also criticized the APC's announcement of the alleged defections, arguing that the ruling party cannot present random individuals as ADC candidates without concrete evidence. Abdullahi further dismissed the APC's assertion that these individuals were drawn to the party due to its purported efforts in transforming Northern Nigeria.

In light of rising food prices, insecurity, and increasing pressure on household incomes, the ADC questioned the veracity of this claim. The opposition party emphasized that Nigerians are more concerned with tangible improvements in their living conditions rather than political events and photographs of alleged defectors. ADC maintained that political claims must be backed by verifiable records and insisted that the APC provide evidence to prove that the individuals they presented were indeed ADC candidates or officials before making the claim of defection.