FORMER LAPAI LGA CHAIRMAN ISAH SAIDU BAKA DUMPS PDP FOR ADC, CITES GRASSROOTS PRIORITIES

In a significant political shift ahead of the 2027 general elections, former Chairman of Lapai Local Government Area in Niger State, Hon. Isah Saidu Baka, has officially parted ways with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and declared his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The move, widely seen as a strategic recalibration, comes amidst growing realignments within Niger State’s political architecture.
Baka, a seasoned grassroots politician who served as Chairman of Lapai LGA between 2011 and 2014, conveyed his decision in a resignation letter dated July 22, 2025. The letter was formally addressed to the PDP leadership in Muye/Egba Ward and the state party hierarchy. In it, he cited a combination of personal convictions and political imperatives as the core reasons behind his departure.
“This decision was not taken lightly,” Baka emphasized in his letter. “After broad consultations with my family, political associates, and the people I represent, I came to the conclusion that my aspirations—and the vision I hold for effective representation and inclusive development—are better aligned with the principles and values of the African Democratic Congress.”
Baka’s exit from the PDP marks the culmination of months of political speculation following his unsuccessful bid to represent Agaie/Lapai Federal Constituency in the 2023 general elections, where he contested under the PDP banner. While he did not publicly fault the party’s internal processes, insiders suggest that ideological misalignment and dissatisfaction with the direction of the PDP in Niger State played key roles in his decision to jump ship.
In his farewell note, Baka struck a conciliatory tone, expressing deep appreciation for the roles the PDP had afforded him throughout his political journey. “I remain thankful for the platform the PDP provided me to serve. I value the friendships and collaborations formed, and I wish the party continued relevance in Nigeria’s democratic evolution,” he wrote.
Reactions to Baka’s defection have been swift. Political observers and grassroots mobilizers describe the move as a significant win for the ADC, a party often regarded as a rising alternative in Nigeria’s crowded political field. Many believe Baka’s decision could inspire similar moves, particularly from mid-tier PDP leaders who feel politically marginalized or disillusioned.
His entry into the ADC is expected to energize the party’s base in Niger State and reconfigure the balance of political power in Lapai and the broader Agaie/Lapai axis. Already, local reports suggest that several of Baka’s political loyalists have begun formal processes to also exit the PDP, raising concerns within the party leadership.
Analysts see this as part of a larger trend, noting that Niger State’s PDP has witnessed a steady drip of high-profile defections in recent months. The implications are profound, especially as parties begin the groundwork for 2027. Baka’s defection, while personal on the surface, may well be symptomatic of deeper unrest within the PDP’s state chapter.
As of press time, the PDP has yet to issue an official response to Baka’s departure, though sources within the party suggest internal meetings are being convened to address the situation and mitigate further fallout. Meanwhile, the ADC is preparing a formal welcome ceremony for Baka, to be attended by top-ranking state officials and national party representatives.
With this latest realignment, the political terrain in Niger State inches closer to what many expect will be a fiercely contested pre-election season, marked by shifting loyalties, ideological battles, and renewed competition for the hearts and votes of the grassroots.