The 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State, Senator Aishatu Ahmed Binani, has officially defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking a major political shift in the state ahead of the 2027 elections.
The development was confirmed by Binani’s media aide, Maulud Usman, who told DAILY POST on Sunday afternoon that the former senator flew into Yola on Saturday evening and quietly declared her defection to a few family members and close associates.
While social media was awash with reports of Binani’s departure from the APC early Sunday, no official confirmation had been available until Usman broke the silence. He clarified that the declaration was deliberately low-key and not open to media coverage.
“Yes, she has joined the ADC,” Maulud said. “It was a private announcement for now, but she will return to Yola soon for a more elaborate engagement with the ADC leadership and supporters.”
Binani, who represented Adamawa Central in the Senate, was the APC’s flagbearer in the 2023 governorship election, where she narrowly lost to incumbent Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Her political base and strong followership made her a prominent figure in the APC until recent months.
According to Hobnob News, Binani’s exit from the APC had been anticipated due to internal friction within the party, particularly with its leadership in Adamawa State. Sources suggest she had become increasingly sidelined by a faction loyal to the current National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, who is widely perceived as the de facto leader of the APC in the state.
Ribadu, a former presidential candidate and one of the contenders defeated by Binani in the APC governorship primaries, is believed to be positioning himself—or a preferred candidate—for the 2027 race. The rivalry between the two influential politicians is said to have deepened since the 2023 elections, fueling speculation of Binani’s eventual defection.
Political observers view Binani’s move to the ADC as a strategic realignment that could reshape the political landscape in Adamawa. Her defection could also trigger a wave of followership migration, especially among disenchanted APC members.
With 2027 on the horizon, Binani’s next steps in the ADC will be closely watched, as the party positions itself to capitalize on growing discontent within the APC ranks.
