“Perish Defection Thought, I’m Still PDP” – Fmr VP Sambo

By Adesina Soyooye

A former Vice President of Nigeria, Namadi Sambo, has refuted the claim that he has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The news had broken on Wednesday that Sambo, Vice President under President Goodluck Jonathan, dumped the PDP on Friday, June 13, 2025.

The announcement of his defection was made by an APC stalwart, Imram Muhammad.

But in a statement Wednesday night signed by his former Media Adviser, Umar Sani  on his behalf, the former Vice President put a lie to Muhammad’s statement on his defection. He described it as “entirely false and without any basis”.

The statement posted on his verified X page reads in full:

“Rebuttal to False Claims of Defection by Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo, GCON

“My attention has been drawn to a widely circulated story alleging that His Excellency, Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo, GCON, former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This claim is entirely false and without any basis.

“Following numerous calls and inquiries, I have taken the liberty of the authority of His Excellency’s family to issue this formal rebuttal. I categorically state that the story is a fabrication, laced with mischief and aimed at misleading the public.

“The photograph supporting this falsehood, showing His Excellency with the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, is not recent. It was taken years ago during a condolence visit by the Governor to His Excellency’s residence in Abuja, following the demise of his brother, the late Sani Sambo. The image is now being deliberately misrepresented to fit a contrived narrative.

“Furthermore, His Excellency is scheduled to attend the commissioning of a 300-bed hospital in Kaduna on Thursday, 19th June 2025. This project, which he initiated during his time in office, stands as a testament to his enduring commitment to public service and the development of Kaduna State. His invitation to witness the completion of this legacy project, and possibly offer a few remarks, must not be misconstrued as a political endorsement or as confirmation of any partisan shift.

“For the avoidance of doubt, His Excellency, Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo remains a loyal and committed member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He has no intention of joining any other political party. The defection story is purely the figment of the imagination of its authors calculated to sow confusion and achieve cheap political mileage.

“We urge the public and the media to disregard this misinformation and treat it with the contempt it deserves.

“Signed,

Umar Sani former media adviser to former Vice President Arc MN Sambo GCON”

Sambo, a former two-term Governor of Kaduna State, was Vice President between  2020 and 2015 under the Administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.