ABUJA, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the return of Sa’idu Umar Ubandoma, former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Sokoto State, to the All Progressives Congress, urging him to work with party leaders to strengthen unity and ensure the party’s electoral success in the state.
Ubandoma, who was the PDP governorship candidate in Sokoto State in the 2023 general election, officially rejoined the APC on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. He was received by President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where the President described his return as a significant addition to the party’s fold.
According to a statement issued by the President’s media adviser, Tinubu expressed confidence that Ubandoma’s political experience and grassroots support would contribute to the APC’s efforts to consolidate its position in Sokoto State and the North-West region. The President also called on party leaders in the state to extend a hand of fellowship to the returning member and to work together to achieve common goals.
The Sokoto State governorship election is scheduled to hold in 2027, and the APC is seeking to retain the state, which it currently controls under Governor Ahmed Aliyu. Ubandoma’s return is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the party’s base in the state and to counter the opposition’s efforts to regain power.
Ubandoma’s decision to rejoin the APC follows months of political realignment in Sokoto State. He had previously been a member of the APC before defecting to the PDP to contest the 2023 election. His return to the APC is part of broader efforts by the party to rebuild its structures and consolidate its hold on the state.
In response to the President’s call for unity, Ubandoma pledged his loyalty to the APC and his commitment to working with the party leadership to ensure its success in Sokoto State. He also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his leadership and for the opportunity to contribute to the party’s progress.
The meeting at the Presidential Villa was also attended by the National Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Ganduje, and other senior party officials. They described the development as a major boost for the party ahead of the next election cycle.
The presidential directive for unity comes amid ongoing efforts by the President to strengthen the APC and build a broader political coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections. Tinubu has consistently emphasized the need for party cohesion and has reached out to former opponents to join his administration’s reform agenda.
As part of his integration into the party, Ubandoma is expected to be given a role in the party’s affairs in Sokoto State, where he is expected to work with the state leadership to boost the APC’s fortunes. His return has been seen by political observers as a move to weaken the PDP’s foothold in the state.
The Sokoto State governorship election promises to be fiercely contested, with both the APC and the PDP mobilizing support across the state. The coming months will be crucial in determining the political direction of Sokoto State and the wider North-West geopolitical zone.
