Malam Sa’idu Umar Ubandoma, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Sokoto State in the 2023 elections, has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The political realignment, which comes ahead of the 2027 general elections, took place in Abuja at the residence of Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, the APC leader in Sokoto and Senator representing Sokoto North Senatorial District.
Ubandoma, a former banker and seasoned public servant, previously served as Commissioner for Finance and later as Secretary to the Sokoto State Government under former Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, to whom he was a close political ally. He ran for governor in 2023 but was defeated by the incumbent, Governor Ahmed Aliyu of the APC.
In a statement issued by Bashar Abubakar, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Senator Wamakko, Ubandoma cited Senator Wamakko’s leadership qualities and Governor Aliyu’s “remarkable performance” in delivering infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, and rural development projects as key factors in his decision. He asserted that the APC remains the most credible platform for Sokoto’s continued progress.
Welcoming the defection, Senator Wamakko described it as a significant boost to the party and a reflection of the confidence political leaders have in the APC’s development agenda. He assured Ubandoma and his supporters of a warm reception and mutual respect, stressing that the party is open to all well-meaning citizens committed to the state’s unity and development.
Political observers in Sokoto had recently predicted Ubandoma’s possible departure from the PDP, following the emergence of Manir Dan’Iya as the ADC’s governorship candidate for the 2027 race.