The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to weaken its ranks by allegedly offering financial rewards, political appointments and other incentives to persuade its candidates to defect.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, made the allegation in a statement on Tuesday, warning members against what he described as efforts by the APC to entice NDC candidates into joining its fold.
The NDC said it was not concerned about the departures, arguing that those who had abandoned the party lacked the principles and ideological commitment it represented.
“For those who have fallen for this bait, it is clear that they lack the values, virtues, and ideological commitment associated with our great party. They were never truly of us,” the statement said.
“To them, we say good riddance to bad rubbish, and we wish them luck in their political misadventures.”
Director said the party would organise fresh congresses to select replacement candidates in constituencies affected by the defections, in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.
He also urged party members and supporters to remain steadfast, accusing the APC of resorting to inducements in an attempt to undermine the NDC.
“The NDC is fully aware of the desperate and malicious tactics of the APC, which has resorted to offering money, political appointments, and other material incentives to induce some money-minded candidates of our party to jump ship and defect to its sinking fold,” the statement reads.
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“These are the last kicks of a dying horse that has seen the handwriting on the wall of its imminent defeat,” Director said.
He reaffirmed the NDC’s commitment to delivering good governance, security and prosperity to Nigerians.
The statement followed the resignation of Ibrahim Kashim, the NDC governorship candidate in Bauchi State, who announced his departure from the party nearly 24 hours earlier.
In a resignation letter dated October 16, 2026, and addressed to the NDC chairman in Bauchi Local Government Area, Kashim said his decision came after careful consideration but did not affect his commitment to the political struggle for a better Bauchi State.
Although he did not disclose his next political destination, reports suggest he could join the APC in the coming weeks.
Another prominent departure was that of Rufai Hanga, the senator representing Kano Central and the NDC’s only senator from northern Nigeria.
Hanga resigned from the party on August 3 and formally joined the APC on September 6. He currently serves as the Deputy Minority Whip of the Senate.
His resignation letter was addressed to the NDC chairman of Najeria Ward in Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State.
The NDC’s latest allegations also come amid reports that several House of Representatives and state assembly candidates from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the NDC in Taraba, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano and Plateau states defected to the APC in recent days.