Former Kwara State Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Abubakar Kabir Basambo, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring his support for Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the party’s governorship candidate, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu.
Basambo, a former Labour Party governorship candidate in the 2023 election, announced his move in a statement issued in Ilorin on Sunday.
He attributed his decision to a meeting with Danladi-Salihu, who also serves as Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly.
The former ADC spokesman praised AbdulRazaq’s administration, particularly its performance in infrastructure, education and healthcare.
“Governor AbdulRazaq is a man who keeps his promise. His singular act of taking the governorship ticket to Kwara North is enough for me. His resounding success in healthcare, education, roads and other sectors is top-notch,” he said.
Basambo said he was joining the ruling party to contribute to the state’s progress and pledged his allegiance to the governor and the APC candidate.
“I hereby declare my unflinching support and total loyalty to the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and to Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi,” he stated.
His defection follows a disagreement with the ADC leadership over his resignation from the party.
Basambo had submitted his resignation as state publicity secretary on October 23, 2026, citing dissatisfaction with the conduct of some party leaders and the direction of the state chapter.
“This decision was not taken lightly. After deep reflection, I can no longer cope with the direction the party is going in the state. There is so much hypocrisy, lies, and double standards amongst some party leaders and State Excos who parade themselves as loyal leaders,” he wrote.
The ADC, however, offered a different explanation for his departure.
State Secretary Ibrahim Alege alleged that Basambo resigned after the party began disciplinary proceedings over concerns about his conduct and dedication.
“For some time, concerns had been raised regarding Mr Basambo’s conduct and commitment to the ideals of the party. These concerns prompted the party’s leadership and Council of Elders to initiate established internal disciplinary procedures. Rather than allow that process to run its course, he chose to resign,” Alege said.
The party maintained that his exit was an individual decision and did not reflect any crisis within its ranks.
Basambo rejected the claim, insisting that he left voluntarily and was never officially informed of any disciplinary allegations.
“Let me state it unequivocally: I resigned voluntarily and on principle. I did not resign to evade any process. No formal allegation was ever served on me in writing, and I was never given a fair hearing to respond,” he said.
He further challenged the composition of the proposed disciplinary panel, arguing that some of its members had previously been involved in issues he raised against the party.
“You cannot be a judge in your own case. I cannot face a panel populated by the very persons whose anti-party activities and impunity I challenged,” he added.
Basambo also questioned the ADC’s organisational strength in Kwara, accusing its leadership of neglecting publicity, grassroots mobilisation and effective party administration.
He described the party as “structurally comatose” and questioned its visibility across the state.
“Show me one billboard of the ADC in Kwara. Show me one radio program sponsored by the party to sensitise the public. There is none — except for the personal efforts of a few serious-minded candidates, particularly in Kwara South and one Senatorial candidate from the North,” he said.
The former spokesman also alleged that the party’s Council of Elders had assumed control of its affairs, leaving the state executive sidelined.
He raised concerns about the condition of the party’s secretariat and alleged irregularities involving the replacement of a House of Assembly primary winner in Oyun Local Government Area.
Basambo also criticised ADC governorship candidate Zakari Mohammed, claiming his conduct contributed to his decision to leave the party.
Despite his grievances, he expressed admiration for his political leader, Abubakar Kannike, whom he described as a man of honour.
The ADC, in response, reaffirmed its commitment to building a credible political alternative in Kwara State and Nigeria, insisting that its objectives remained transparency, competence and service to the people.