By Joy Yesufu
In a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s 2023 governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Mallam Sa’idu Umar Ubandoma, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday in Sokoto by Bashar Abubakar, Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Senator Aliyu Wamakko, the APC leader in the state.
Ubandoma was formally received by Senator Wamakko at his residence in Asokoro, Abuja, in what the ruling party described as a significant boost to its growing political support base in Sokoto State.
A seasoned public administrator, Ubandoma previously served as Commissioner for Finance and later as Secretary to the Sokoto State Government during the administration of former Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
He also contested the 2023 governorship election as the PDP candidate.
Explaining his decision to join the APC, Ubandoma said he was persuaded by the leadership style and political maturity of Senator Wamakko, as well as the performance of Governor Ahmed Aliyu.
According to him, the state government’s achievements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, rural development and other key sectors convinced him that the APC remains the most credible platform to advance the development of Sokoto State.
Welcoming the former opposition governorship candidate into the party, Senator Wamakko described the defection as a major political gain for the APC and evidence of growing confidence in the party’s leadership and development agenda.
He assured Ubandoma and his supporters of equal opportunities and full integration into the party, stressing that the APC remains open to all well-meaning citizens committed to promoting peace, unity and sustainable development in Sokoto State.
