ABUJA, Nigeria — Former Vice President Alhaji Namadi Sambo has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a significant political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sambo, who served as Nigeria’s Vice President from 19 May 2010 to 29 May 2015 under President Goodluck Jonathan, confirmed his defection on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
Prior to his time at the federal level, he was the Governor of Kaduna State from 2007 to 2010.
His switch to the APC makes him the latest high-profile figure to abandon the opposition party as political manoeuvring intensifies ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Although the former vice president has yet to disclose his reasons publicly, his defection is seen as a major boost for the APC, which has been consolidating support across northern states.
Party officials are expected to formally receive Sambo in a ceremony in Abuja later this week, though no official date has been announced.
