Former FCT Senator Philip Aduda Holds Talks with APC Leadership After PDP Resignation
Former Senator for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Philip Aduda, is in a closed-door meeting with the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) at its national secretariat in Abuja.
Aduda arrived at the venue on Monday accompanied by Hon. Joshua Ishakwu, the newly elected chairman of Bwari Area Council, and Hon. Danjuma Shekwkolo, his counterpart from Kuje Area Council. The meeting signifies a major political realignment for the seasoned lawmaker, who officially resigned from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) days ago, citing unresolved internal crises within the party.
His departure from the PDP, where he served as a senator for eight years, ends a long-standing affiliation. Aduda previously represented the Abuja constituencies in the Senate from 2015 to 2023, having earlier served in the House of Representatives. His move follows a trend of some prominent northern politicians shifting allegiance to the ruling APC, which controls the federal government and the FCT administration.
The presence of the two local government chairmen from the FCT’s Bwari and Kuje councils is notable. Their accompaniment suggests potential grassroots support or coordination within the territory for Aduda’spolitical decision. Area councils are the third tier of government in Nigeria, and their chairmen wield significant local influence.
The closed-door discussion with the APC national leadership is expected to focus on Aduda’s potential role within the party and strategies for the APC in the FCT, a zone the party aims to strengthen ahead of future elections. While no official statement has been released regarding the outcome of the meeting, it is a standard procedure for a high-profile defector to hold consultations with the ruling party’s top echelons.
Aduda’s exit reduces the PDP’s stature in the FCT, where the APC already holds a dominant position. His experience as a former senator and legislative figure could bolster the APC’s political structure and campaign machinery in the capital territory.
The meeting underscores the ongoing fluidity in Nigeria’s political landscape, where realignments often occur in the lead-up to electoral cycles. Observers will watch for any formal announcement from Aduda or the APC regarding his integration into the party and any designated responsibilities. The discussion represents a pivotal step in the former senator’s political journey following his split from the PDP.
