Lafia, January 9, 2026 – The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State has strongly refuted circulating social media claims that former National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, has defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the reports as "false, misleading, and baseless propaganda."
In a statement issued on Thursday in Lafia by the party's State Organising Secretary and Coordinator of the APC e-membership registration exercise, Hassan Abubakar, the APC emphasized that Adamu remains a loyal and committed member of the party.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, at no time, defected, contemplated defection, or associated himself with any other political party,” the statement declared. It accused unnamed elements of deliberately spreading the misinformation to mislead the public and sow confusion within the APC ranks.
Abubakar clarified that the photograph widely shared online as purported evidence of Adamu's defection was actually taken during the ongoing nationwide APC e-membership registration and revalidation exercise. The image, showing Adamu holding a temporary membership slip, depicts him renewing his party membership in Rimi Ward, Keffi Local Government Area, in line with the party's efforts to update its database and enhance internal democracy.
The ongoing e-registration initiative, launched by the APC national leadership, aims to digitize membership records, eliminate ghost members, and strengthen grassroots participation ahead of future elections. Adamu's participation underscores his continued allegiance to the APC, according to party officials.
Senator Abdullahi Adamu, a two-term governor of Nasarawa State (1999-2007) initially on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform before defecting to the APC in 2014, served as the party's national chairman from March 2022 until his resignation in July 2023. Despite occasional internal party frictions, he has maintained a prominent role in Nasarawa politics and APC affairs.
The rumor gained traction on Wednesday and Thursday, with several online platforms and blogs initially reporting Adamu's alleged defection to the ADC in Keffi, claiming it was a principled move ahead of the 2027 elections. Some reports even suggested a formal reception by ADC leaders, boosting the opposition party's profile.
However, these claims were swiftly countered by the Nasarawa APC chapter, with multiple credible outlets corroborating the debunking. Political analysts attribute the misinformation to the heightened political atmosphere in Nigeria, where speculation about high-profile defections often intensifies as elections approach.
The incident highlights the challenges of misinformation in Nigeria's digital space, particularly on social media platforms, where unverified images and narratives can rapidly spread. Party spokespersons urged members and the public to rely on official channels for accurate information.
Adamu, aged 79, has not personally commented on the rumors, but sources close to him described the defection reports as fabricated attempts to stir controversy. His recent e-registration activity is seen as a reaffirmation of loyalty to the APC under President Bola Tinubu's administration.
As the APC continues its membership drive nationwide, similar clarifications may emerge in other states to counter potential misinformation. The party views the exercise as crucial for consolidating its base in the North Central region, including Nasarawa, a key battleground state.
This episode underscores ongoing dynamics within Nigerian politics, where party loyalty, realignments, and pre-election maneuvering remain focal points. For now, the APC in Nasarawa insists Senator Adamu remains firmly within its fold, dismissing the ADC defection narrative as a failed attempt at political destabilization.
