The political landscape of Yobe State has shifted dramatically after Alhaji Sani Adamu Yarin Fika, one of the most influential figures in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside his vast network of supporters, aides, and campaign coordinators.
The defection, announced in Damaturu, marks the virtual collapse of the PDP’s remaining structure in Zone B, cementing the APC’s firm control across all senatorial districts of the state.
Key Highlights:
- Major PDP leader defects with full structure; Governor Buni hailed for performance; analysts say APC dominance now total in Yobe.
Addressing a jubilant crowd, Yarin Fika said his decision was driven by the “visible performance and accountable leadership” of Governor Mai Mala Buni. He described the move as a commitment to progress rather than party sentiment. “The PDP no longer has the strength or vision to lead Yobe forward. We are joining the APC because this government delivers real projects, real results, and real development,” he said.
Confirming that his entire political machinery had switched allegiance, Yarin Fika declared the PDP “politically extinct” in Zone B. His defection, political observers note, effectively transfers years of grassroots networks and local influence to the ruling party’s side.
APC State Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Gadaka, celebrated the move as a “transformative victory,” calling it the absorption of a full political structure rather than an individual defection. “With Yarin Fika’s entry, the PDP has lost its final stronghold in Yobe. This strengthens our base not just in Potiskum and Zone B but across the entire state,” he said. Gadaka promised equal opportunities and full integration for all new members joining from the opposition.
Read more:
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- APC expecting more Ebonyi Reps to defect, says party chairman
Governor Mai Mala Buni welcomed the defectors, describing the mass movement as a vote of confidence in his administration’s performance. He highlighted ongoing achievements in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security, promising to sustain inclusive governance. “We will continue to build and to serve. Our government remains open to everyone who shares the vision of a prosperous Yobe,” Buni stated.
Analysts say the defection underscores a growing pattern of opposition weakness in northern states, where the APC’s governance record and grassroots structures have become increasingly attractive. With the PDP now stripped of its last operational base in Yobe, the opposition faces a steep uphill battle to remain politically relevant.
The development signals the dawn of a new political reality in Yobe, one in which the APC’s dominance appears near total and the opposition’s survival hangs by a thread.
