In a seismic shift in Nigerian politics, Aisha Dahiru Binani, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Adamawa State in the 2023 elections, has defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), announced on July 18, 2025. The move, confirmed by sources close to Binani and reported across multiple news platform has sent shockwaves through the APC, which is already grappling with internal strife and the recent loss of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Binani, a trailblazing politician and the first woman to secure a major party’s governorship nomination in Adamawa, cited unresolved grievances with the APC’s leadership and its handling of the 2023 election fallout as key reasons for her departure.
Binani’s political journey has been marked by historic milestones and controversies. In 2023, she made headlines as a formidable APC candidate, challenging the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Ahmadu Fintiri in a fiercely contested Adamawa governorship race. The election was marred by allegations of irregularities, culminating in a controversial attempt by the then-Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, to declare Binani the winner prematurely, an action later nullified by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Despite her loss, Binani’s resilience and prominence as a female politician earned her widespread admiration, making her defection a significant blow to the APC’s influence in Adamawa and beyond.
The ADC, which has been positioning itself as a viable third force in Nigerian politics, welcomed Binani with open arms, touting her as a symbol of progressive leadership. Political analysts suggest Binani’s defection could galvanize the ADC’s presence in the North-East, a region where the APC and PDP have long dominated. However, former Lagos Governor Babatunde Fashola’s recent critique of the ADC’s lack of a clear vision, reported on July 19, 2025, underscores the challenges the party faces in leveraging high-profile defections for electoral success.
Binani’s exit comes at a precarious time for the APC, which is navigating leadership crises, including the reported hospitalization of former National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje in London. Her defection has sparked speculation about deeper fractures within the APC, particularly in Adamawa, where her influence as a senator and grassroots mobilizer remains strong. Sources indicate that Binani was disillusioned by the APC’s failure to address internal disputes and its handling of post-election legal battles, which she reportedly felt undermined her campaign. Her move to the ADC signals a broader trend of disillusioned politicians seeking alternatives amid Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.
