Significant political realignment has occurred in Kebbi State as three sitting senators from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), triggering widespread disquiet within the opposition party.

The lawmakers – Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South) – announced their defection on Tuesday on the floor of the Senate, effectively leaving the PDP without senatorial representation from Kebbi State.

In their defection statements, the senators cited several grievances against the PDP, including what they described as a collapse of internal democracy, marginalization of loyal party members, and failure to effectively address insecurity challenges in the state.

The defections represent a significant blow to the PDP's political structure in Kebbi, particularly given the stature of the lawmakers involved. Senators Aliero and Abdullahi are veteran politicians with substantial influence in the state's political landscape, while Maidoki's departure weakens the party's grassroots support in Kebbi's southern district.

Sources within the PDP revealed that the defections caught many party stakeholders by surprise, with no apparent warning signs preceding the dramatic exit. The development has reportedly sparked accusations of betrayal among party faithful and prompted emergency meetings among PDP leadership in the state.

A visit to the PDP State Secretariat in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday afternoon revealed a tense atmosphere, with party members gathered in small groups engaged in hushed but animated discussions about the defections. Attempts to gather official comments were largely rebuffed, with one visibly agitated party loyalist refusing to provide substantive remarks.

Meanwhile, in what appears to be a strategic countermove, sources close to the PDP leadership disclosed that discussions have commenced regarding potential outreach to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, as a possible political ally ahead of the 2027 general elections.

"The party is exploring all serious options now. Malami is a political force in his own right and someone we believe can help reclaim lost ground," a source familiar with the discussions stated, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The defections come at a critical time as political parties begin early positioning for the 2027 electoral cycle, with control of Kebbi State likely to be fiercely contested between the two dominant parties.

Political analysts suggest that these high-profile defections could significantly alter the balance of power in Kebbi's political landscape, potentially strengthening the APC's position while forcing the PDP into a rebuilding phase to remain competitive in future electoral contests.