Nasiru Baballe Ila resignation from APC exposes internal crisis, marginalisation, and lack of democracy as he joins ADC for justice and political renewal.
The Nasiru Baballe Ila resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC) has deepened internal tensions within Nigeria’s ruling party, following his public criticism of marginalisation and lack of internal democracy.
Ila, a former two-term member of the House of Representatives and ex-Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, described his decision as a “painful but necessary” step to preserve his political integrity.
In a letter dated October 23, 2025, addressed to the Ward Chairman of Gyadi-Gyadi Arewa in Tarauni Local Government Area, Kano State, the lawmaker announced his departure, citing systemic exclusion of founding members, especially those from the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), one of the merger parties that formed the APC in 2013.
Ila, who represented Tarauni Federal Constituency from 2011 to 2019, said his exit was the result of continuous sidelining and disregard for fairness within the APC.
He lamented that his loyalty and service to the party had not been rewarded but instead met with neglect.
According to him, both he and his supporters had been treated as outsiders despite their contributions to the party’s foundation.
“The treatment I have received within the party, particularly in Kano, and other salient developments have compelled me to take this decision,” he wrote.
“The APC leadership has failed to uphold fairness, inclusiveness, and respect for founding members.”
He recalled how he was denied a return ticket to the House of Representatives in 2019 — an experience he described as the height of injustice that exposed the party’s growing disregard for internal democracy.
The Nasiru Baballe Ila resignation underscores a long-standing internal conflict within the APC.
Since the merger that brought together the CPC, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and other smaller groups, there have been accusations of unequal treatment among the blocs.
Ila emphasized that the CPC faction, which played a pivotal role in the rise of former President Muhammadu Buhari and the eventual victory of the APC in 2015, has been deliberately sidelined.
“The refusal of the leadership at all levels to recognize and involve core members of the defunct CPC in party affairs has been disheartening,” he said.
Observers say this APC crisis reflects a broader problem of political marginalisation in Nigerian politics, where party loyalty often yields little reward and internal democracy remains a slogan rather than practice.
In his resignation letter, Ila stated that his exit was not motivated by personal ambition but by principle.
“As a man guided by conviction and faith, I cannot remain in a political party that compromises my values,” he declared.
“The APC no longer reflects the ideals of justice, fairness, and inclusiveness that it once promised Nigerians.”
The Nasiru Baballe Ila resignation also carries symbolic weight, representing a protest against injustice and a call for moral accountability in governance.
Political analysts believe that his departure could spark a chain reaction among other disenchanted APC members who share similar frustrations.
Following his resignation, Ila announced his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing it as a platform that aligns with his principles of service, fairness, and people-oriented leadership.
“It gives me great pleasure, after careful consideration, to align myself with a party that embodies the reason I entered politics — to serve humanity,” he stated.
He pledged to practice “politics without bitterness” and to continue working for the welfare of his constituents under a new banner that values democracy and integrity.
Political watchers note that Ila’s move to the ADC could strengthen the party’s base in Kano and Northern Nigeria, where disaffection within the APC has been mounting.
His credibility as a former lawmaker and close ally of the late President Muhammadu Buhari gives weight to his new political direction.
The Nasiru Baballe Ila resignation has generated reactions within Kano’s political circles, with some viewing it as a reflection of deeper cracks in the ruling party.
A number of APC members privately admit that the issue of fairness and inclusiveness remains unresolved, particularly for those who feel their efforts in building the party have been ignored.
A senior party member in Kano, who preferred anonymity, described Ila’s exit as “a big loss” and urged the national leadership to take urgent steps to heal internal wounds.
“People like Hon. Ila are the moral backbone of the APC in Kano. Losing him means losing a bridge between the old and the new members,” he said.
Political analysts warn that if such grievances are left unaddressed, they could escalate ahead of the 2027 general elections, weakening the APC’s chances in key states like Kano — traditionally one of its strongest bases.
Beyond partisan politics, Ila’s action has reignited debate about the lack of internal democracy in Nigerian political parties.
Many commentators argue that without genuine reforms, political organisations will continue to breed division, distrust, and disillusionment among members.
For Ila, however, the focus remains on promoting integrity and service. “Politics should not be about personal gain but about the people,” he emphasized. “I will continue to uphold the values of honesty, justice, and accountability in all my engagements.”
As he begins a new political journey under the ADC, the former presidential aide says he hopes his step will inspire others to pursue politics driven by conscience, not convenience.
Whether his defection becomes a rallying point for reform or just another chapter in Nigeria’s turbulent party politics remains to be seen.
But one thing is clear: the Nasiru Baballe Ila resignation has once again exposed the cracks in Nigeria’s dominant political structures, challenging leaders to return to the values of fairness, inclusivity, and democracy that citizens desperately yearn for.
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