Nigeria’s APC Secures North-West Leadership Amid High Profile Defections and Calls for Party Unity

Muhammad-Garba Babawo leads new APC North-West team as Kano and Zamfara governors join the party, signaling a major political shift in Northern Nigeria.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 25, 2026, 6:13 PM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Peoples Gazette

A New Leadership Core for the North-West Zone

The All Progressives Congress has formally installed a fresh executive team to oversee its operations across the critical North-West geopolitical zone. During a heavily attended congress in Kaduna on Wednesday, Muhammad-Garba Babawo emerged as the new zonal chairman, spearheading a leadership roster designed to balance fresh perspectives with administrative continuity. The election results confirmed Hadiza Alhaji as the zonal woman leader, while Abdulhamid-Umar Mohammed was retained in his role as the zonal youth leader. These appointments, along with the selection of Salisu Tsafe as organising secretary and Mailafiya Mada as publicity secretary, signal the party’s intent to solidify its organizational structure ahead of future electoral cycles.

Grassroots Democracy and the Mandate of Transparency

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State framed the electoral proceedings as a fundamental victory for internal party democracy and the rule of law. Addressing the gathered delegates, Sani characterized the congress as a powerful affirmation of the party’s identity as a grassroots-driven political entity that prioritizes the collective will of its members. The Governor maintained that the leadership transition was achieved through a transparent process, which he argued is essential for maintaining the credibility of the political institution. By emphasizing these democratic values, the regional leadership sought to project an image of stability and procedural integrity to both the party faithful and the wider Nigerian electorate.

Political Realignment Through High Profile Defections

The congress served as a backdrop for a significant shift in the regional political landscape, highlighted by the formal welcoming of two sitting governors into the ruling party. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano and Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara were recognized as new members, a move that Governor Sani described as vital to the national outlook of the organization. These defections represent a substantial blow to opposition structures in the North-West, effectively consolidating the party’s influence over some of Nigeria's most populous and politically influential states. The integration of these leaders is expected to alter the strategic calculus for regional governance and party coordination.