Former Vice President Namadi Sambo Denies Defection to APC, Reaffirms Commitment to PDP

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Namadi Sambo, has firmly denied reports suggesting he has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The speculation, which gained traction on Wednesday, was sparked by the circulation of an old photograph showing Sambo alongside Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani.

In a statement released on Thursday by his media adviser, Umar Sani, Sambo refuted the claims, describing them as entirely false and without foundation. According to the statement, the image being used to support the defection rumours was taken several years ago during a condolence visit by Governor Sani to Sambo’s residence in Abuja following the death of his brother, the late Sani Sambo.

Umar Sani emphasised that the former Vice President remains a committed and loyal member of the PDP and has no plans to leave the party. “The story is a fabrication, laced with mischief and aimed at misleading the public,” he said, adding that inquiries from concerned Nigerians prompted the need for a formal rebuttal.

The statement also addressed Sambo’s scheduled appearance at the commissioning of a 300-bed hospital in Kaduna on Thursday, June 19, 2025. The hospital project, initiated during Sambo’s tenure in office, is described as a legacy contribution to the development of Kaduna State. His attendance at the event, according to the statement, should not be misinterpreted as a political alignment or endorsement.

Sambo reiterated his unwavering allegiance to the PDP and dismissed the defection rumours as the product of political mischief intended to create confusion and score cheap political points.