The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Yobe State has firmly rejected allegations that a significant number of its members have defected to a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) associated with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. This denial comes in response to claims made by Alhaji Abdullahi Usman Maigida, which the ADC described as unfounded and misleading.

Umar Kalli Alhaji, the state chairman of the ADC, issued a statement on Thursday categorically stating that no such mass defection occurred in Yobe. He challenged those propagating the claims to provide concrete evidence, such as videos or photographs, to support their assertions. Kalli emphasized, "No such event took place in Yobe. Had it occurred, those behind this propaganda would not have hesitated to back it up with videos and pictures."

The ADC chairman further dismissed the notion that the Wike-aligned PDP faction possesses any political structure within Yobe State. He pointed out that the faction lacks an office, organizational framework, or grassroots presence, which he argued is crucial for any political group aiming to influence the upcoming elections. Kalli also noted that the faction does not have representation in many of the elective positions that will be contested in the 2027 general elections.

In his statement, Kalli suggested that the reports of defection were either an attempt to draw political attention to the FCT minister or a scheme to extort money from him. He urged the public, party members, and stakeholders to disregard the claims, labeling them as "false, mischievous and lacking any basis in fact."

The ADC's rebuttal follows a report that indicated the Wike-aligned PDP faction had welcomed defectors from various political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), particularly in the Nangere and Fune local government areas. The report also included statements from the PDP governorship candidate, Maigida, who claimed that the influx of new members had bolstered the party's grassroots structure ahead of the 2027 elections. Prominent figures, such as Dr. Ibrahim Aliyu, were mentioned as individuals who allegedly joined the faction.

However, the ADC did not specifically address the names mentioned in the initial report or provide details regarding their alleged defections. The ongoing political dynamics in Yobe State continue to unfold as parties prepare for the upcoming elections, with the ADC asserting its position against what it terms misinformation regarding its membership and affiliations.