A former federal lawmaker, Senator Abubakar Gada, on Saturday formally declared his intention to return to the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2027 general election, ending weeks of speculation over his political future.
Speaking at a gathering of supporters in Sokoto, Gada said his decision was driven by the need to “reclaim and rebuild” the PDP in the state after what he described as leadership stagnation under former governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, whom he accused of refusing to identify fully with the African Democratic Congress six months after both politicians signalled interest in the party.
Gada, who represented Sokoto East Senatorial District between 2007 and 2011 under the PDP and joined the ADC in 2025, said he and Tambuwal were initially considered joint leaders of the party in Sokoto, but insisted that leadership “comes with responsibility.”
“My humble self and Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal were considered the leaders to drive the party in the state,” he said.
“But leadership means identifying with the people, showing commitment and taking responsibility. For six months, we raised the hope and tempo of the party, but he refused to come and sit down with us to build it.”
According to him, Tambuwal’s alleged lack of participation in ADC activities fuelled doubts about his political intentions.
“You cannot be talking to APC on one hand, being promoted as vice-presidential option for Peter Obi on the other hand, and still refuse to register or allow your followership to register in ADC,” he alleged.
“This level of contradiction is not partnership for progress.”
Gada argued that the situation left the ADC “in limbo” in Sokoto and forced him to “take destiny into our hands by returning to PDP.”
He further criticised what he called political “ingratitude,” citing Tambuwal’s rapid ascent from Speaker of the House of Representatives to two-term governor.
Earlier, PDP supporters, including Alhaji Hamza Yabo, described the declaration as significant to the party’s revival following its 2023 election loss to the APC.
Another supporter, Alhaji Hamza Gatawa, said the process of “reclaiming the party” had begun, while Hajia Mariam Kabi urged women and youths to back Gada’s 2027 ambition.
“We should give him total support to become the next governor,” Kabi said, advising youths who had turned 18 to register for voter cards.
The ADC became a major attraction in Sokoto politics in 2024 after internal tensions rocked the PDP. Tambuwal, who served as governor from 2015 to 2023 and is currently a senator, has not publicly responded to Gada’s latest allegations.
Gada is expected to formalise his return to the PDP at the state level in the coming weeks as alignment and realignment continue ahead of the 2027 polls.
Reacting to the development, the publicity secretary of the PDP in the state, Hassan Sayinnawal, described the declaration as a joke.
He said none of the executive members of the party in the state was aware of the former lawmaker joining the party.
“We are not aware of his coming to PDP. Nobody received him, and even in his ward and local government of Gada, they are not aware of his coming to PDP,” he said.
“As I’m talking to you, I am the state publicity secretary of the PDP in Sokoto State. I can tell you we are not aware of even his intention to come to the PDP, talkless of decamping to it.
“He is not in our register at his ward, local government, state or even national level.”
