A major political realignment has taken place in Sokoto State following the defection of the 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mallam Sa’idu Umar Ubandoma, from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was contained in a statement issued in Sokoto by the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, Bashar Abubakar.
According to the statement, Ubandoma was formally received into the APC by Senator Wamakko, the leader of the party in Sokoto State, during a meeting at his residence in Asokoro, Abuja.
Ubandoma, a former Commissioner for Finance and later Secretary to the Sokoto State Government under the administration of former Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, was the PDP’s governorship candidate in the 2023 general election and was regarded as one of the prominent figures in Tambuwal’s political structure in the state.
Explaining his decision to join the APC, Ubandoma said he was influenced by what he described as the leadership qualities and political maturity of Senator Wamakko.
He also praised the administration of Ahmed Aliyu, citing its performance in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and rural development as key factors behind his decision.
“The remarkable strides of the current administration across critical sectors of the state’s economy left me with no doubt that the APC is the party to deliver on the aspirations of the people of Sokoto State,” Ubandoma said.
His defection is expected to strengthen the APC’s political base in Sokoto ahead of future electoral contests, while dealing a significant blow to the opposition in the state.
