Gusau – Former Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, His Excellency Barrister Mahdi Aliyu Gusau, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is set to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

NaijaChoice News reports that the development, which broke hours ago, marks yet another major blow to the PDP in the North-West as heavyweight politicians continue to exit the party. Gusau, a PDP stalwart who served as Zamfara Deputy Governor from 2019 to 2022, is described by party insiders as a “heavyweight politician” whose exit signals growing discontent within the fold.

The politician, son of retired General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau, a former National Security Adviser and Defence Minister, has carved a reputation for steadfast loyalty to the PDP. Even after Governor Bello Matawalle defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in June 2021 along with several elected officials, Gusau refused to follow, choosing instead to remain in the PDP in honour of the mandate given to the party by the people of Zamfara. His principled stand earned him national commendation, including from elder statesmen, but also triggered his impeachment by the Zamfara State House of Assembly in February 2022 on allegations of gross misconduct.

CHECK OUT: 2027: ‘A Party Controlling 31 States Can’t Fear ADC’ — Governor Sule

Born on December 5, 1981, in Gusau, Barrister Mahdi Aliyu Gusau attended the Nigerian Military School in Zaria before studying Law. He became one of the youngest deputy governors in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic and played key roles in state governance until the political rift with his principal forced him out of office. In 2022, he withdrew from the PDP governorship primaries days before the election, throwing his weight behind another candidate.

His latest move to the ADC comes as the party positions itself as a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections. Political analysts say the defection of a figure with Gusau’s pedigree and grassroots connections could bolster the ADC’s structure in Zamfara and the broader North-West zone, where the PDP has been hemorrhaging members in recent months.

As reactions continue to pour in on social media, supporters of the ADC have hailed the development as “a movement” that reflects shifting political tides away from recycled leadership. PDP sources in Zamfara have yet to issue an official statement on the resignation.

We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join NaijaChoice NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →

Join Our WhatsApp Channel