Former Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, and a former member of the House of Representatives, Abubakar Amuda Kannike, have officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking a significant shift in the state’s political landscape.
The two political heavyweights, both formerly of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are now recognized as key leaders of the ADC in Kwara State. Party insiders confirmed that Ahmed and Kannike are not mere defectors but are already providing direction and leadership within the ADC.
Speaking on the development, ADC officials in Kwara noted that Ahmed, who governed the state between 2011 and 2019, has been actively involved in steering the party’s strategies. Kannike, who represented Ilorin East/Ilorin South in the House of Representatives between 2015 and 2019, has also thrown his full weight behind the party, engaging grassroots supporters and rebuilding structures ahead of future elections.
Their defection comes amid growing dissatisfaction with the PDP in Kwara, where internal wrangling, lack of cohesion, and allegations of sabotage have pushed several prominent figures to seek alternatives. Both Ahmed and Kannike cited the ADC as a more credible opposition platform capable of providing direction for Nigerians tired of the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the internal instability of the PDP.
Their move follows similar defections by other PDP stalwarts in the state, including former Minister and one-time PDP spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, underscoring a wave of realignments that could reshape Kwara’s political map. Analysts believe the entrance of Ahmed and Kannike into the ADC has strengthened the party’s profile, potentially positioning it as a formidable contender in the coming elections.
For now, the PDP in Kwara faces the challenge of holding on to its dwindling base as more influential members drift toward ADC, while the ruling APC watches closely to see how these shifts could affect its stronghold in the state.