A former governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Kwara State, Abubakar Basambo, has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
Basambo said his defection followed a meeting with the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly and APC governorship candidate, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu.
It was gathered on Monday that the defection was announced in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, yesterday evening.
Basambo, who is also the former African Democratic Congress (ADC) publicity secretary said his decision was influenced by the policies and projects of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration, particularly in healthcare, education and infrastructure.
He also identified the governor’s decision to zone the APC governorship ticket to Kwara North as one of the factors behind his move.
Basambo said he intended to contribute to the state’s development while supporting the political leadership of the APC.
Meanwhile, Basambo’s defection comes shortly after he resigned as ADC publicity secretary following disagreements with the party’s leadership in Kwara State.
In his resignation letter dated October 23, 2026, he accused some members of the state executive committee and other party leaders of hypocrisy, dishonesty and double standards.
However, the ADC state secretary, Ibrahim Alege, offered a different account of his departure, alleging that Basambo resigned to avoid disciplinary action over concerns about his conduct and commitment to the party.
Basambo dismissed the allegation, maintaining that he voluntarily left the party. He also said he was neither formally informed of any disciplinary charges nor given an opportunity to defend himself.
He further faulted the ADC leadership over what he described as poor organisation, inadequate grassroots mobilisation and the marginalisation of elected party officials.
Despite his disagreements with the party, the former LP governorship candidate acknowledged the role of his political leader, Abubakar Kannike, whom he described as a man of honour and sincerity.