“I Remain a Member of the PDP” – Babangida Aliyu Dismisses Defection Rumours

Former Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, has dismissed claims linking him to the newly unveiled opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), insisting he remains a committed member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

His clarification follows heightened speculation after his presence at a high-level PDP meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, which coincided with preparations for the official unveiling of the ADC as the preferred platform for a coalition of opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking in a video circulating on social media, Aliyu emphasized that he only attended a PDP stakeholders’ meeting and not the coalition gathering where ADC was formally endorsed.

“That meeting on Tuesday was a PDP stakeholders’ meeting, and that was why I was there,” he said. “But you could see that when it was declared at the last meeting that the coalition had adopted ADC, I wasn’t there.”

Aliyu warned against misrepresenting facts, stressing that meaningful contributions to national development do not depend on switching political parties.

“I believe that whether it is personal ambition or concern about the state of Nigeria, you can contribute meaningfully from wherever you are,” he said. “It is not moving from one party to another that determines that.”

He added that destiny and leadership opportunities are determined by divine will, not party affiliation.

The former governor also cautioned against misleading Nigerians, noting that while he respects the decisions of those who choose to switch parties, he remains firmly with the PDP.

“I remain a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, the PDP,” Aliyu reaffirmed. “If it becomes necessary, I could decide what to do. But as of now, I am still with the PDP.”

The ADC was officially unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja as the coalition platform for opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other senior PDP members.