Sokoto’s Loudest PDP Critic Swaps Sides, Joins APC Ahead of 2027 Showdown

In a move that has sent ripples through Sokoto’s political landscape, Alhaji Babangida Kakaki, the former Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, has officially crossed over to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The defection, which took place on Friday, positions Kakaki firmly in the APC camp as the state gears up for the 2027 general elections.

Kakaki, known for his sharp commentary as a public affairs analyst, was formally welcomed into the fold by the APC state chairman, Alhaji Haruna Sarkin-Gobir Adiya, alongside other senior members of the state executive. The reception was less a quiet handshake and more a public embrace, with party leaders making it clear they see value in their newest recruit.

So why the switch? Kakaki pointed to the tangible strides made by Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration. He rattled off a list of sectors where he claims the government has delivered—Islamic religious affairs, healthcare, education, water supply, and the ongoing push for rural and urban renewal. Security, too, came in for praise, with Kakaki noting that the governor has made it a priority.

But the former PDP spokesman didn’t stop there. He took a moment to tip his hat to Senator Aliyu Wamakko, describing the political heavyweight as a steady hand guiding the party and the administration. “Senator Wamakko has continued to provide valuable guidance and leadership to the party and the administration. His support has contributed greatly to the stability of the APC in Sokoto State,” Kakaki said.

For his part, Sarkin-Gobir Adiya framed the defection as a homecoming rather than a conquest. He made it clear that the APC’s doors are wide open, not just for Kakaki, but for members of the PDP and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) who are willing to align with the party’s development agenda. “APC is the largest party in Africa, the biggest and ruling party in Sokoto State and Nigeria, and we cheerfully welcome anybody who wants to come on board,” he declared.

The chairman also sought to reassure the newcomer that his political pedigree won’t be overlooked. Kakaki, he said, will be treated on equal footing with long-standing party members. “We will treat you and other people who may join the APC in due course as one because in APC, we are just and fair to all,” Sarkin-Gobir Adiya added.

With the 2027 elections looming, this defection is more than a symbolic win for the APC—it’s a signal that the party is consolidating its grip on Sokoto’s political terrain, one high-profile convert at a time.