A former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), marking yet another shift in his long political career.
Shekarau announced his decision on Sunday at his residence on Mundubawa Avenue in Kano, where supporters and political associates gathered. The venue was decorated with APC posters, signaling his return to the party even before his formal declaration.
Addressing loyalists at the gathering, the former governor said the decision to leave the PDP was not taken lightly. According to him, it followed wide consultations with his supporters and careful review of the political situation.
“We have weighed all the options and arrived at this collective resolution,” Shekarau said. “Do you all agree?” he asked the crowd, inviting anyone who disagreed with the move to speak openly.
None of the supporters present objected, and many were seen expressing support for his return to the APC, a party he once helped to build at its early stage.
The announcement came just hours after Shekarau formally resigned from the PDP. In a letter dated April 19, 2026, and addressed to the PDP chairman of Giginyu Ward in Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, he stated that his resignation takes immediate effect.
“Accept this letter please as notice of my resignation from my position as member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with effect from today,” he wrote.
He also used the letter to appreciate the leadership of the party at the ward level for their support during his time in the PDP.
“I thank you for being a good leader, and pray that Allah will continue to guide you in your stewardship,” he added.
Copies of the resignation letter were also sent to the Kano State PDP chairman and the chairman of Nassarawa Local Government Area, showing that the move followed due process within the party structure.
Shekarau’s defection comes amid ongoing internal challenges within the PDP, both at the national and state levels. In recent months, the party has faced disagreements among key stakeholders, leading to uncertainty in several states, including Kano.
Shekarau is no stranger to party changes. His political journey reflects the shifting alliances that have become common in Nigerian politics. He first rose to prominence under the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), under which he served as governor of Kano State from 2003 to 2011.
During his time as governor, he built a reputation as a strong political figure in Kano, one of Nigeria’s most politically important states due to its large population and voting strength.
After his tenure, Shekarau became involved in national politics and later joined other political leaders to form the APC in 2013, ahead of the 2015 general elections. The APC went on to defeat the PDP at the federal level, marking the first time an opposition party unseated a ruling party in Nigeria’s history.
However, Shekarau later left the APC and joined the PDP, citing differences with party leadership at the time. His stay in the PDP was also marked by political disagreements, particularly within the Kano chapter of the party.
In 2018, he briefly returned to the APC before switching again, highlighting a pattern of political realignment that reflects broader trends in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Kano State, in particular, has been a key battleground in Nigerian politics. With millions of registered voters, the state plays a major role in determining the outcome of national elections. As a result, movements by influential politicians like Shekarau are closely watched by both supporters and rivals.
For many Nigerians, party switching is seen as a reflection of a political system where personal interests often take priority over party principles. Critics have called for reforms to strengthen internal democracy within parties and reduce the frequency of defections.
Despite these concerns, defections remain a common feature of Nigeria’s democracy. Politicians often justify their decisions by pointing to the need to serve their supporters better or to align with platforms they believe offer greater opportunities.
At the event in Kano, Shekarau did not go into detailed reasons for choosing the APC beyond stating that consultations had been held. However, his supporters appeared confident that the move would open a new chapter in his political career.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, attention will likely focus on how Shekarau’s return to the APC affects party dynamics in Kano State and beyond.
His decision also adds to the growing list of political realignments taking place across the country, as parties position themselves ahead of future elections.
For now, the former governor has made it clear that he is ready to begin a new phase within the APC, a party he once helped to build and has now chosen to rejoin once again.