By Olatunbosun Obafemi
Former Vice President Namadi Sambo has firmly denied rumours that he has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the reports as baseless and deliberately misleading.
Widespread speculation about Sambo’s political allegiance emerged on Wednesday following the circulation of an old photograph showing him alongside Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani. However, in a statement issued Thursday by his media aide, Umar Sani, the former vice president clarified that the image in question was taken years ago during a condolence visit by Governor Sani after the death of Sambo’s brother, the late Sani Sambo.
“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 APC. This claim is entirely false and without any basis,” Sani said.
He stressed that the former vice president remains a “loyal and committed” member of the PDP and has no plans whatsoever to join another political party. The statement described the defection story as “a fabrication, laced with mischief and aimed at misleading the public.”
Sambo attended the commissioning of a 300-bed hospital in Kaduna on June 19, a project he initiated while in office. The statement noted that his presence at the event should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political figure or a signal of partisan realignment.
“For the avoidance of doubt, His Excellency, Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo remains a loyal and committed member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP),” the statement concluded.
The clarification aims to put an end to the speculation and reaffirm Sambo’s position within the PDP ahead of unfolding political developments in the country.
