In a stunning political realignment, a key ally of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has abandoned the opposition camp, citing a “lack of concrete rescue plan” for Nigeria, and has thrown her weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, Aslam Aliyu, a prominent Zamfara politician and long-time associate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart Atiku Abubakar, has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Aliyu, who until now was a leading figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the head of the ‘Project Atiku Abubakar 2027’ campaign, announced her resignation and defection in a statement on Sunday. Her decision marks the end of nearly two decades of loyalty to the Atiku political camp.
“After almost two decades of dedicated engagement, it has become undeniably clear that the opposition lacks a meaningful development blueprint or a viable and sustainable national rescue plan,” Aliyu stated, explaining her rationale. She accused the opposition of indulging in “theatrical criticism” without offering viable solutions, insisting that a political culture fixated on fault-finding is detrimental to the nation’s progress.
Declaring her unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Aliyu delivered a powerful message to the opposition, declaring that their efforts to unseat the president in 2027 are futile.
“I am a mother, calling on patriotic Nigerian youths, women, and forward-thinking opposition members to abandon counterproductive politics and join hands with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” she urged. “There is no vacancy in Aso Rock Villa, as Bola Ahmed Tinubu will emerge as the winner of the presidential election come 2027, by the grace of Almighty Allah.”
The Zamfara-born politician’s switch is a significant blow to the opposition’s unity and a major boost for the ruling party’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Welcoming her into the APC fold, the party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, praised her decision. “You have made the right switch to join millions of other Progressives across Nigeria… We are proud to have you in our folds,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Aliyu, who previously led the ‘Zamfara Top 10’ digital mobilizers for the ADC, had been lauded by Atiku himself as a “top Zamfara politician” as recently as July 2025. Her defection underscores the shifting tides in Nigerian politics as the 2027 election cycle begins to heat up.
