Former APC governorship candidate in the 2023 Adamawa election, Aishatu Ahmed Dahiru, has formally joined the National Democratic Coalition (NDC), saying her defection was driven by her supporters and a renewed focus on grassroots mobilisation.
Speaking at a high-profile reception in Abuja attended by party leaders and stakeholders, Binani—who exited the All Progressives Congress about nine months ago—said her political base played a decisive role in her move.
“People are asking why I joined the NDC. The answer is simple—the party stands for structured, policy-driven governance,” she said.
She revealed that her supporters had already aligned with the party before her formal declaration.
“My supporters moved first. Even before I came, they were already here. Adamawa now has one of the highest numbers of NDC registrations,” she noted.
While defending her political decisions, Binani refrained from criticising her former party, maintaining that her priority remains the interest of her supporters.
“I will never condemn where I left. But my first and overriding interest is the interest of my supporters,” she said.
Emphasising the importance of grassroots strength in politics, she added that no political figure succeeds without a solid support base.
“No individual can drive politics alone. Your supporters build you, lift you, and sustain you. Everything I am today is because of them,” she said.
Binani pledged to deepen the party’s structures from Adamawa to the national level, with a focus on inclusiveness and internal democracy.
“We will build this party from Adamawa to the national level. What we demand is equity, justice, transparency, and internal democracy,” she stated.
Reacting, NDC National Leader, Seriaki Dickson, described Binani’s political journey as a symbol of resilience and determination for women in Nigerian politics.
“You fought like a wounded lioness to break and shatter the glass ceiling for Nigerian women,” Dickson said.
He added that her efforts went beyond personal ambition, noting that her strides in Adamawa have inspired many women across the country.
“What you did in Adamawa was not for yourself alone, but for all our daughters, mothers, and sisters,” he said.
Dickson also noted that her move to the NDC aligns with a broader platform committed to inclusion and empowerment, urging more women and youths to participate actively in politics.
Earlier, NDC National Women Leader, Dudu Manuga, described Binani’s entry as a significant political development.
“We are receiving a white elephant—rare, powerful, and impossible to ignore,” she said.
“This is the season of women rising and breaking ceilings. The NDC is the home for Nigerian women.”
Party leaders believe Binani’s defection will strengthen the NDC’s presence in the North-East, particularly in mobilising women and youths ahead of future political contests.
Adamawa: Binani switches to NDC, eyes stronger grassroots mobilisation
