Kashamu Switches Sides: APC Gains High-Profile Defector Amid PDP Turmoil

In a move shaking Nigeria’s political landscape, Prince Abdul‑Rasheed Kashamu has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The veteran politician cited persistent leadership crises, internal polarisation, and factional clashes within the PDP as key reasons for his dramatic switch.

Speaking at his induction into the APC, Kashamu likened his former party to a ship caught in a stormy sea, with competing forces pulling it in different directions, making effective navigation impossible.

He expressed confidence that the APC offers a stable deck and a united helm, particularly as Nigeria approaches the pivotal 2027 general elections.

Kashamu’s defection reflects a growing trend of high-profile politicians abandoning the PDP, a party long dogged by leadership wrangles and internal fractures.

Analysts warn that such exoduses could widen the dominance gap in Nigerian politics, further strengthening the ruling party’s foothold at both Federal and State levels.

APC leaders welcomed Kashamu warmly, hailing his move as a vote of confidence in their party’s cohesion and strategic vision.

Meanwhile, the PDP continues to wrestle with efforts to unify its ranks, insisting that defections are motivated by opportunism rather than ideology.

As the political chessboard shifts, Kashamu’s crossing may signal a turning tide for the opposition and highlight the urgent need for leadership reforms within Nigeria’s main political parties.