Ex-IGP Defects To SDP After APC Primary Fiasco 

Former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu Abubakar, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP) following his defeat in the party’s Nasarawa State governorship primary election held on May 21, 2026.

Mr Adamu, who lost the APC ticket to Ahmed Aliyu Wadada after polling 39,675 votes against Wadada’s 195,285, described the exercise as fundamentally flawed and lacking in internal democracy.

His resignation and defection were confirmed in a statement issued on Monday by Isa Nathaniel, Director of the Contact and Mobilisation Committee of his campaign organisation, who said the move followed wide consultations with supporters and stakeholders across the state.

According to the statement, Mr Adamu and his supporters exited the APC over what they called a “manipulated and prearranged” primary process.

“This decision follows the disgraceful charade that masqueraded as the APC Governorship Primary Election,” the statement said.

The group insisted that parallel ward and local government collation indicated that Mr Adamu was initially ahead before the process was allegedly altered in favour of “desperate  political merchants.”

“What happened was not a primary election; it was a coordinated assault on democracy,” the statement added.

The campaign organisation further accused the APC leadership in Nasarawa State of abandoning fairness and transparency in favour of entrenched political interests.

Mr Adamu formally submitted his resignation letter to APC officials in Makama Ward, Lafia Local Government Area, where it was received by the ward Deputy Chairman, Ahmed Awwal, and Secretary, Usman Abdullahi.

In the letter, he said the conduct of the primary made it impossible for him to continue within the party structure.

“I strongly believe that internal democracy, fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for all aspirants and members are essential principles that must guide the affairs of any democratic political party,” he stated.

“Unfortunately, the events surrounding the primary election did not reflect these principles and have led to a loss of confidence in the party’s leadership and processes in the state.”

He added that he would continue his political pursuit under a new platform after consultations with his supporters, allies, and family.

Governor Abdullahi Sule had earlier publicly backed Mr Wadada ahead of the primary, which political observers say further shaped the outcome of the contest.