Atiku Ally Aslam Aliyu Defects to APC Ahead of 2027

The Aslam Aliyu APC defection has landed as one of the week’s biggest political shocks. Aliyu, a longtime ally of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in Zamfara State, announced she has left the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to join the ruling All Progressives Congress. She broke the news in a statement released Sunday, July 5, in Abuja.

Why the Aslam Aliyu APC Defection Happened

For nearly two decades, Aliyu worked closely within Atiku’s political camp. However, she says that loyalty finally hit a wall. In her statement, she explained that the opposition simply lacks a credible governance blueprint. Consequently, she concluded she could no longer stay.

“For almost two decades, I worked tirelessly within the political camp of H.E Atiku Abubakar ADC Presidential Candidate 2027,” she said. “Throughout that entire period, my loyalty never wavered.” Still, she added that after all that time, the ADC never offered “a meaningful development blueprint or a viable and sustainable national rescue plan.”

Beyond that, Aliyu accused the ADC of leaning entirely on criticism instead of solutions. According to The Cable, she described the party’s approach as little more than “theatrical criticism.” Meanwhile, she argued that real political participation requires measurable progress, not empty rhetoric.

Aliyu Throws Her Weight Behind Tinubu

Rather than simply walking away quietly, Aliyu used her statement to rally others toward President Bola Tinubu’s camp. Specifically, she called on Nigerian youths, women, and forward-thinking opposition members to abandon what she called “counterproductive politics.”

“I am a mother, calling on patriotic Nigerian youths, women, and forward-thinking opposition members to abandon counterproductive politics and join hands with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” she said. She then went further, predicting Tinubu’s victory outright: “There is no vacancy in Aso Rock Villa, as Bola Ahmed Tinubu will emerge as the winner of the presidential election come 2027, by the grace of Almighty Allah.”

APC Chairman Welcomes the Switch

Unsurprisingly, the ruling party wasted no time celebrating the news. APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda posted a warm welcome message on X on Monday, July 6, according to Vanguard.

“Welcome to the All Progressives Congress, Gimbiya Dr Aslam Aliyu,” Yilwatda wrote. “You have made the right switch to join millions of other Progressives across Nigeria in furthering the ideals of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We are proud to have you in our folds.”

That kind of public embrace signals how much APC values high-profile defections right now, especially as the party works to strengthen its numbers ahead of 2027.

Aliyu’s Political Background

Before this shift, Aliyu led Project Atiku Abubakar (PAA) 2027 and coordinated Zamfara Top 10, a coalition of digital media campaigners who worked to mobilize support for Atiku’s presidential bid online. Her influence within that network ran deep.

In fact, Atiku himself once praised her efforts publicly. As recently as July 2025, he referred to her as a “top Zamfara politician” while meeting with her team, acknowledging their role in opposition mobilization. Given that history, her departure carries extra weight within Atiku’s camp.

A Wider Pattern of ADC Defections

Notably, Aliyu isn’t the only figure walking away from the ADC lately. Just recently, Legit.ng reported that 34 Katsina State House of Assembly aspirants from 18 local government areas dumped the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

Those aspirants, however, headed in a different direction. Instead of joining the APC, they moved to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which they described as a formidable political home. According to their statements, injustice, poor leadership, and a lack of opportunity pushed them out of the ADC.

Taken together, both stories point to real turbulence within the opposition coalition. Whether this trend continues will likely shape how competitive the 2027 race becomes, particularly in northern states like Zamfara and Katsina.

What Comes Next

For now, the Aslam Aliyu APC defection adds fresh momentum to Tinubu’s re-election push, at least symbolically. Her exit also raises fresh questions about the ADC’s ability to hold its coalition together as the election calendar tightens.

As more defections potentially unfold in the coming months, political watchers will likely keep a close eye on which figures stay loyal to the opposition and which ones eventually follow Aliyu’s path toward the ruling party.