Senator Gada Re-Joins PDP, Cites Tambuwal’s Lack of Commitment

Former Senator Abubakar Gada, representing Sokoto East, has officially returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), putting an end to months of political wandering. Speaking to a massive crowd of supporters in Sokoto on Saturday, January 24, 2026, Gada explained that his departure from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was necessitated by a leadership vacuum in the state, which he blamed squarely on former Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

Gada, a heavyweight in Sokoto politics, had joined the ADC in 2025 alongside Tambuwal as part of a high-profile “opposition coalition” intended to challenge the ruling APC in 2027. However, Gada revealed that the partnership never truly materialized on the ground. He accused the former governor of failing to identify with the party’s grassroots structure and refusing to participate in the formal registration of members over the last six months. “Leadership means taking responsibility,” Gada declared, adding that Tambuwal’s “refusal to sit down and build the party” left thousands of supporters in political limbo.

The Senator did not hold back in his criticism of what he called Tambuwal’s “political contradictions.” He alleged that while the former governor was being touted as a potential vice-presidential running mate for Peter Obi in the ADC, he was simultaneously engaged in back-channel talks with the APC. Gada argued that such a posture made it impossible to build a unified front, describing the situation as “political ingratitude” toward a state and a party that had previously elevated Tambuwal to the positions of Speaker of the House and a two-term governor.

The return of Gada to the PDP has already sparked a flurry of activity in the state’s largest opposition party. During the declaration, prominent supporters, including Hamza Yabo and Alhaji Hamza Gatawa, hailed the move as a “turning point” for the PDP in Sokoto. Many in the crowd called for Gada to fly the party’s flag in the 2027 governorship race, while women and youth leaders, led by Hajia Mariam Kabi, urged the electorate to begin a massive mobilization and registration drive to “reclaim” the state.

However, the PDP state leadership has offered a surprisingly frosty reception to the returning Senator. In a swift reaction on Saturday evening, the Sokoto State PDP Publicity Secretary, Hassan Sayinnawal, dismissed the defection as a “political joke.” Sayinnawal stated that the party has no official record of Gada’s return, claiming he had not followed the proper constitutional processes at the ward or local government levels. “He is not in our register,” the spokesperson insisted, suggesting that Gada’s announcement might be a unilateral move rather than a sanctioned homecoming.

Political analysts in the North-West suggest that Gada’s exit is a major blow to the ADC’s “Third Force” ambitions in Sokoto. With Tambuwal also reportedly facing increased scrutiny from anti-graft agencies and internal pressure to return to the PDP himself, the ADC coalition appears to be fracturing before it can even take root. Gada’s decision to “take his destiny into his hands” suggests he believes the PDP remains the only viable vehicle to challenge the incumbent APC administration led by Governor Ahmad Aliyu.

As the 2027 election cycle begins to take shape, the battle for the soul of the PDP in Sokoto is expected to intensify. While the party’s official hierarchy remains cautious, the grassroots energy surrounding Gada’s return points to a looming leadership contest. For Gada, the mission is clear: to rebuild the house he once left and position himself as the stabilizer in a state where political loyalties are shifting like the Sahelian sands.