A member of the House of Representatives from Katsina State, Shehu Tafoki, has dumped the All Progressives Congress for the Peoples Democratic Party following disagreements over the party’s consensus arrangement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Tafoki, who represents the Kankara/Faskari/Sabuwa federal constituency, reportedly left the APC after failing to secure the party’s consensus ticket for re-election.
According to reports, the lawmaker has already obtained the PDP nomination and expression of interest forms and met with PDP stakeholders in Katsina to formalise his move.
The APC in Katsina had adopted a consensus method for selecting candidates for the 2027 elections, with a committee headed by former governor Aminu Masari overseeing the process.
The development also triggered additional defections within the party, as APC zonal youth leader Ismail Yandaki and House of Assembly aspirant Surajo Abduljabbar reportedly joined the PDP after failing to secure APC tickets.
Meanwhile, the race for the Kano Central Senatorial District took another turn after several APC aspirants stepped down in support of former Kano governor Ibrahim Shekarau as consensus candidate.
Among those said to have withdrawn from the contest are former Chief of Staff Usman Bala, former presidential aide Shaaban Sharada, and other aspirants loyal to the party.
In Yobe State, Governor Mai Mala Buni stated that the APC would conduct free and fair governorship primaries if stakeholders fail to agree on a consensus candidate.
Buni explained that although former Secretary to the State Government, Baba Wali, emerged as the preferred candidate during consultations, the party may still adopt direct primaries to maintain internal democracy and unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
