The Adamawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has suffered another setback ahead of the 2027 general elections following the resignation of a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Kabiru Mijinyawa.
Mijinyawa, a fourth-term lawmaker representing Yola South Constituency, announced his resignation from the APC after losing the party’s primary election for the Yola South Federal Constituency ticket to a former Chief Executive of the Rural Electrification Agency, Ahmad Salihijo.
The former Speaker, who presided over the state assembly between 2015 and 2019 during the administration of former Governor Jibrilla Bindow, cited alleged lack of fairness and transparency in the conduct of the primary as the reason for his departure.
In his resignation letter, Mijinyawa said he could no longer remain in a party whose internal processes, according to him, were inconsistent with democratic principles.
“I can no longer associate myself with a process that I consider unjustifiable and contrary to the ideals of democracy,” he stated.
Mijinyawa was first elected into the Adamawa State House of Assembly in 2011 and has since retained his seat, making him one of the longest-serving lawmakers in the state legislature.
His exit comes days after another prominent APC figure in the state, businessman and former governorship aspirant Abdulrahman Haske, defected to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Haske was subsequently unveiled as the APM governorship candidate for the 2027 election at an event in Yola on Saturday.
The development has heightened concerns over the APC’s strength in Adamawa as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 elections.
At his unveiling, Haske said his decision to leave the APC was driven by his desire to pursue a people-centred development agenda for the state.
He described his movement to the APM as “a convergence of principle and purpose,” promising to focus on accountable leadership, economic empowerment, youth inclusion and sustainable development.
“Today is not merely about joining a political party; it is about strengthening a movement dedicated to the future of Adamawa State,” Haske said.
He listed agriculture, infrastructure, education, healthcare, economic empowerment, security and transparent governance among his priorities if elected governor.
The APM National Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, said the party chose Haske after extensive consultations, describing him as a politician whose philosophy aligns with the party’s objectives.
“After extensive consultations, we are convinced that Abdulrahman Haske embodies the values and principles for which the Allied Peoples Movement stands,” Dantalle said.
The Adamawa State APM Chairman, Badejo Bello, also welcomed Haske, describing him as a “bridgebuilder” capable of contributing to the party’s campaign for what he called genuine transformation and sustainable progress.
Mijinyawa’s resignation is the latest in a series of departures from the Adamawa APC in recent days, adding to the political pressure on the party as it seeks to strengthen its structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
The former Speaker is reportedly expected to join the APM, potentially further boosting the opposition party’s growing profile in the state.
