A political leader and community advocate in Kajuru and Chikun Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, Hon. Isah Danssaallah, has said he is actively considering defecting from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), citing the opposition’s fragmentation as a threat to democracy ahead of 2027.
In a statement of “Declaration of Intent to Realign Politically” issued Tuesday, Danssaallah said the decision followed “careful reflection, extensive consultations with supporters, political associates, and stakeholders” across both LGAs.
Criticising ADC and praising PDP structure, Hon. Danssaallah faulted the state of opposition politics in Nigeria, saying parties meant to check the ruling government have become “fragmented, disorganised, and distracted by internal conflicts and personal ambitions.”
On his experience in the ADC, Hon. Danssaallah said he has been “particularly disappointed”, accusing the party of lacking transparent processes.
He also alleged that ADC has been weakened by “disunity, parallel structures, and the emergence of self-imposed candidates across states, local governments, and ward levels without transparent and coordinated processes.”
“The absence of a unified leadership direction and the apparent inability to safeguard the integrity of the party’s structures have further compounded these challenges.
“Consequently, it has become increasingly evident that a divided opposition only strengthens the position of the incumbent government ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he stated.
Conversely, Danssaallah said recent conduct within the PDP convinced him that it remains the strongest opposition platform.
He pointed to the “maturity, restraint, and respect for due process demonstrated by leaders and stakeholders within the Peoples Democratic Party”, proving it is still “the most organised and nationally structured opposition party in Nigeria today.”
Reiterating as ‘’Not Personal ambition, but governance,” the former ADC chieftain stressed that the move is not driven by personal ambition, but a reflection of a commitment to “democratic principles, good governance, effective opposition politics, and the desire to contribute meaningfully to building a stronger and more united political platform.”
“I, Hon. Isah Danssaallah, together with my supporters, political associates, and grassroots structures across Kajuru and Chikun Local Government Areas, hereby announce that we are actively considering a political realignment from the ADC to the PDP,” the declaration read.
He added that consultations with stakeholders will continue, and a final decision will be communicated “at the appropriate time.”
On implications for Kaduna politics,
Danssaallah’s statement added to the growing conversations within Kaduna opposition circles about repositioning ahead of 2027, noting that “Kajuru and Chikun LGAs are politically strategic, with large rural and urban voting blocs that have swung elections in the past.
The political analysts said defections from smaller parties like ADC to PDP could strengthen the PDP’s grassroots base in Southern Kaduna, where it has historically performed well.”It also underscores a broader challenge facing Nigeria’s smaller opposition parties- retaining influential local leaders amid perceptions of internal crisis”.
Danssaallah concluded by reaffirming his commitment to “the progress, unity, and development of Kajuru, Chikun, Kaduna State, and Nigeria as a whole.”
The ADC Kaduna and PDP Kaduna officials were, however, yet to respond to the declaration as of press time.
