"New Direction": Salihu Tanko Yakasai Defects to ADC, Calls for Mass Registration

A Major Shift in Kano Politics

Salihu Tanko Yakasai (Dawisu), the 2023 governorship candidate for the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) and a former high-profile member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has officially defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The move, announced on Monday, March 23, 2026, signals a significant consolidation of the "Third Force" in Northern Nigeria. Yakasai, a vocal critic of administrative lapses and a veteran political strategist, stated that the decision followed "extensive consultations" with his family, political associates, and grassroots supporters.

Tendering APC Resignation

In a message shared with his followers, Yakasai confirmed he has formally resigned from the APC and completed his registration with the ADC. He framed the move as a necessary step toward a "new direction" for the country and the state.

Key Quotes from Yakasai's Message:

  • On Consultations: "Following extensive consultations with family, friends, and political associates... we have resolved to move to the ADC."

  • The Call to Action: Yakasai urged Nigerians to join the movement, providing a digital link for mobile registration: adcregistration.ng.

  • A Prayer for Change: "We pray that Allah... grants the ADC the opportunity to form government at all levels, and makes it beneficial for all Nigerians."

Analysis: The ADC's Growing "Northern Front"

Yakasai’s entry into the ADC is a strategic win for the party, which has recently become a sanctuary for high-profile dissidents like Rotimi Amaechi and Nasir El-Rufai (who remains in custody). In Kano, Yakasai commands a significant following among the youth and the intellectual class. His defection suggests that the ADC is successfully positioning itself as the primary alternative for those disillusioned with the APC-NNPP-PDP triad. By promoting a digital registration link, Yakasai is leveraging his massive social media influence to bypass traditional "godfather" structures—a move that could define the ADC’s grassroots strategy for the 2027 general elections.

"We have resolved to move to the ADC as part of a new direction... We pray Allah makes this decision a good one for all Nigerians." — Salihu Tanko Yakasai