Yusuf Zariyi, who once sought to lead Kaduna State under the Nigeria Democratic Congress banner, has walked away from the party. He announced his resignation and immediate defection to the All Progressives Congress on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, during a press conference in Kaduna.
What drove this dramatic shift? Zariyi pointed to disillusionment with the NDC’s internal workings, particularly surrounding the party’s governorship primary. After extensive consultations with stakeholders and careful reflection on his political journey, he concluded the platform no longer served his goals of accountability and improved living conditions for ordinary Nigerians.
“I represent women, I represent children, I represent the oppressed,” Zariyi declared, framing his political career as service rather than ambition. He insisted power should never be pursued for personal gain but deployed as a tool to transform communities and formulate policies that elevate living standards.
His supporters received assurance that grassroots activities would continue uninterrupted. The former aspirant’s decision reflects broader questions about party loyalty in Nigeria’s fractured political landscape, where ideological commitments often collide with internal party dynamics and personal aspirations.
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