Former Kwara ADC Spokesman Joins APC

The last Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kwara State, Abubakar Basambo, has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Basambo, who was a governorship candidate for the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, made his announcement in a statement sent to The PUNCH on Sunday in Ilorin.

He said he took this step after meeting with the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly and APC governorship candidate, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu.

The former ADC spokesman also showed support for Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Danladi-Salihu. He believes in the governor’s leadership and performance in office.

"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 stated.

Basambo mentioned that he joined the ruling party to help develop the state. He is fully committed to supporting the governor and the APC governorship 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 declared.

His defection comes after a public disagreement with the Kwara State ADC over his resignation from the party.

Basambo had resigned as ADC state publicity secretary in a letter dated October 23, 2026. He sent the letter to the state chairman through the chairman of his Magaji Are 1 Ward and the Ilorin East Local Government Area chapter.

In his resignation letter, titled ‘Letter of Resignation from ADC’, he accused some party leaders and members of the state executive committee of hypocrisy, dishonesty and double standards. He felt he could no longer identify with the party's direction in Kwara State.

"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.

However, ADC state secretary Ibrahim Alege claimed that Basambo resigned to avoid disciplinary actions from the party leadership and its Council of Elders regarding his conduct and commitment.

"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 stated.

The party insisted that his departure was a personal choice and did not reflect any weakness within the party.

Basambo denied the allegations. He insisted that he resigned voluntarily and was not formally notified of any accusations against him or given a chance to defend himself.

"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 explained in a statement shared with The PUNCH.

He also criticized the proposed disciplinary panel. He said some members expected to serve on it were part of the party members he had challenged.

"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 further accused the ADC leadership in Kwara of not forming an effective political structure and described the party as “structurally comatose.”

He pointed out the party's lack of visibility and grassroots involvement, saying it had no billboards or radio programs to promote its activities and lacked proper facilities.

"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.

He also claimed that members of the Council of Elders took charge of the party’s operations, leaving the state executive sidelined. He said they engaged in political talks with other parties without being accountable.

Basambo mentioned that the party’s state secretariat was not fit for use. He also claimed that a candidate who won a House of Assembly primary in Oyun Local Government Area was removed and replaced by some party leaders, though he did not give details about this.

He had also criticized the ADC governorship candidate, Zakari Mohammed, saying his actions led to his decision to leave the party.

Despite his harsh words for the ADC leadership, Basambo thanked his political leader, Abubakar Kannike, whom he called a man of honour and sincerity.

The ADC, on its part, stated that it remains focused on building a credible political alternative in Kwara State and Nigeria. It insists that its mission is guided by transparency, competence, and service.