Senator Aishatu Ahmed Binani, the 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State, has officially defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Her media aide, Maulud Usman, confirmed the development on Sunday, revealing that Binani arrived in Yola on Saturday evening and quietly informed close family members and friends of her decision. The move, though widely speculated online earlier on Sunday, was confirmed without fanfare or media presence.
Usman explained that the former senator, who represented Adamawa Central, plans to return to Yola soon to formally align with the ADC in a public event.
Binani narrowly lost the 2023 governorship election to the incumbent, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Her defection from the APC had been anticipated due to ongoing tensions with the party’s leadership in the state.
Reports suggest that Binani became increasingly uncomfortable with what many observed as the Adamawa APC’s tilt towards the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, who is considered the de facto party leader in the state.
Ribadu, who lost the APC governorship primary to Binani in 2022, is believed to still harbor gubernatorial ambitions or plans to back a preferred candidate in 2027 — fueling speculation of a continued rivalry between the two.
Binani’s switch to the ADC is seen as a strategic move ahead of the next election cycle.
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