Jun 24, 2026

Kebbi Senator Defects to ADC, Warns Tinubu: "Aides Are Deceiving You Nigeria is Sinking"

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in politics

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Abuja, Nigeria — In a dramatic political shift that underscores deepening cracks within Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Garba Musa Maidoki, representing Kebbi South Senatorial District, has formally defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The move, announced on the Senate floor on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, comes amid allegations of internal injustice, betrayed loyalty, and a troubling disconnect between President Bola Tinubu’s inner circle and the harsh realities facing ordinary Nigerians.

Maidoki, who chairs the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance and serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation, read out his letter of resignation from the APC during plenary.

In it, he cited “lingering internal crises” within the party—particularly in Kebbi State—that have undermined its professed ideals of justice, peace, and unity.

“They are lying to Tinubu. Nigeria is sinking!”

This stark accusation, delivered in a widely circulated video clip from his remarks, has resonated across social media and political circles.

Maidoki accused APC leaders of deceiving the President about the true state of the nation, painting a picture of a government insulated from the economic hardships, insecurity, and widespread discontent gripping the country.

Roots in Primaries Dispute

The defection stems directly from the APC’s recent senatorial primaries in May 2026.

Maidoki was reportedly screened out and barred from contesting for a second term, despite his service.

He had joined the APC in May 2025 alongside other Kebbi senators after engagements with President Tinubu.

In his letter, addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and fellow lawmakers, Maidoki stated: “My decision is based on the lingering internal crisis of the APC that has made my political inspiration a source of concern.”

After consulting his constituents, he concluded that the ADC better aligns with their interests.

This is not an isolated incident. It reflects a broader wave of realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with discontent over party primaries and internal wrangling pushing some lawmakers toward opposition platforms.

Maidoki, first elected to the Senate in 2023 on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket before switching to APC, has positioned his move as principled rather than opportunistic.

In related comments, he has spoken about entering politics due to insecurity in his region, not personal ambition.

Nigeria’s current challenges provide context for his blunt assessment.

Since Tinubu assumed office in 2023, the removal of fuel subsidies and naira floatation have triggered soaring inflation—reportedly exceeding 34% in some metrics—skyrocketing food prices, and deepened poverty for millions.

A record ₦68 trillion 2026 budget has been signed, yet implementation struggles amid ongoing hardship and security concerns.

Critics from within and outside the APC increasingly point to a leadership bubble, where positive reports from aides may obscure ground realities.

Maidoki’s voice adds weight as a sitting senator from the ruling party’s fold.

Reactions have been swift and polarized. Supporters of the defection hail it as a courageous stand against injustice and a signal of eroding APC dominance in the North.

Others, including some APC loyalists, dismiss it as sour grapes from a politician who lost out in primaries, questioning the timing and sincerity.

One X user captured a common sentiment: “When criticism comes from opponents, it is called politics. When it comes from within the same party, it is often seen as a warning signal.”

For the APC, this defection represents another dent in its armor as it gears up for 2027.

For the ADC, it bolsters its profile as an alternative platform. For President Tinubu and his administration, it serves as a public challenge: address the internal fractures and close the information gap with the Nigerian people.

As political realignments accelerate, Maidoki’s exit highlights a familiar Nigerian political truth—loyalty is often tested by access to power and fair play.

Whether this marks the beginning of a larger exodus or a contained ripple remains to be seen.

What is clear is that the senator’s message has amplified calls for accountability in a nation yearning for tangible progress amid persistent hardship.