Yusuf Zariyi, a former governorship aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, in Kaduna State, has resigned from the party and announced his defection to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Zariyi announced his decision on Wednesday at a press conference in Kaduna, saying his move was driven by his continued pursuit of justice, good governance and improved living conditions for Nigerians.
He explained that the decision followed extensive consultations with stakeholders, personal experiences and a careful review of the NDC platform since joining the party to pursue his political ambition.
According to him, his entry into politics was rooted in a long-standing commitment to justice, community development and advocacy for vulnerable members of society.
Zariyi said he had considered different political platforms before choosing the NDC, believing that the party would provide an avenue through which he could advance his vision of accountable governance and better opportunities for Nigerians.
He, however, said developments surrounding the party’s governorship primary and subsequent events convinced him that the NDC was no longer the appropriate platform for pursuing those objectives.
“I am resigning my membership of the party today, being Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026,” he announced.
Zariyi said his decision was made with the interests of the people he had represented through years of community engagement in mind.
“I represent women, I represent children, I represent the oppressed, I represent anybody who is a victim of lack of equity,” he said.
The former aspirant maintained that his political ambition had never been motivated by the pursuit of power for personal gain, but by the opportunity to influence policies and improve the lives of ordinary citizens.
“Power in itself is not an end; it is a means to basically make better the lives of people,” he said.
Zariyi argued that political authority should be deployed to formulate policies, improve governance and create conditions that enable communities to achieve better standards of living.
He noted that his departure from the NDC followed consultations with political stakeholders and a broader assessment of the prevailing political situation.
He urged his supporters not to abandon their grassroots activities, assuring them that his commitment to supporting communities would continue irrespective of his change of political affiliation.