Former Senatorial Candidate, Hajia Nike AbdulRahman Dumps NDC, Defects to APC

…Says NDC, PDP Lacks Respect for Constitutional Governance

BY FUNMI ALUKO

An avid gender advocate and former senatorial candidate for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hajia Chief Hon. Musleemah Nike AbdulRahman, has announced her defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) party, citing her commitment to constitutionalism, good governance, women’s inclusion and effective service delivery.

Her official defection to the APC according to an official statement by her political handlers will be formally announced at a later date in Abuja. Abdulrahman, a former Zonal Vice Chairman I of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the North Central and former Deputy National Woman Leader and Zonal Woman Leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), said her decision followed careful consideration of her political convictions and the need to operate within a party structure that respects its constitution and promotes meaningful governance.

She said the decision was informed by her desire to provide effective representation, promote good governance and advance the interests of women and grassroots communities, adding that her political journey had always been guided by the search for truth, constitutional order and impactful service to the nation.

According to her, her experience in the PDP and the NDC provided valuable opportunities to contribute to grassroots mobilisation, party administration and women’s political participation.

However, she explained that her resignation from the NDC became necessary because of what she described as the party’s disregard for its constitution, lack of internal democracy and absence of a coherent national ideology.

Abdulrahman alleged that critical decisions in the NDC were taken outside the provisions of its constitution and without adequate recourse to established party organs.

She maintained that her political philosophy would not permit her to remain in an organisation where constitutional provisions were allegedly disregarded, stressing that respect for the rule of law and established procedures remained essential to credible political participation.

The former party official also faulted the NDC for what she described as the absence of a verifiable organisational structure for women, youths and genuine party members.

She listed the alleged absence of credible ward registers, reward systems, properly inaugurated executives across the ward, local government and zonal levels, as well as appointment letters and clear terms of reference, among the shortcomings that informed her decision.

Explaining her choice of the APC, Abdulrahman said she was attracted by what she described as the party’s progressive ideology, commitment to justice, peace and unity, and the opportunity to contribute to the implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“I did not join APC because it is the largest party in Africa. I joined because it is the only party with a working ideology of progressive change, with a creed of justice, peace and unity,” she stated.

She described the Renewed Hope Agenda as a framework for economic reforms, infrastructural development and greater inclusion of women in governance, expressing confidence that the APC would provide her with a platform to translate her political experience and advocacy into meaningful service.

Abdulrahman, who is also a stakeholder in the Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A) FCT Chapter, said her membership of the APC would strengthen her capacity to mobilise support for the party and promote the interests of her constituents and other grassroots stakeholders.

A strong advocate of gender inclusion and good governance, she emphasised that women should not merely be given nominal representation in political parties but should be actively involved in decision-making and leadership.

“In APC, the Constitution is respected. Structure is supreme. Women do not just have a seat; we have a table,” she said.

She declared her intention to formally join the APC, pledging loyalty to the party, its leadership and its ideology, ahead of the official defection announcement in Abuja.

The politician also pledged allegiance to President Tinubu, the APC national leadership, governors and other organs of the party, promising to work towards the party’s success at all levels of government.

Abdulrahman, however, called on her supporters, women across the North Central, former associates in the PDP and NDC, and other advocates of good governance to join the APC and collaborate with the Arewa for Asiwaju movement ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“We are not just defecting; we are defining the future,” she declared.

Abdulrahman concluded by reaffirming her commitment to the APC and the Renewed Hope Agenda, expressing optimism that her political experience, grassroots connections and gender advocacy would contribute to the party’s activities and efforts to promote inclusive governance.

She urged her supporters to work together towards the actualisation of the A4A 2027 project, declaring: “APC is home. A4A is the movement. Asiwaju is the answer.”

Abdulrahman previously served as PDP Zonal Vice Chairman I, North Central, and NDC Deputy National Woman Leader and Zonal Woman Leader, North Central.

She was also a senatorial candidate for the Federal Capital Territory in 2019.