Former Vice President Namadi Sambo has firmly denied reports claiming he has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Umar Sani, Sambo described the report as completely false and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.
“My attention has been drawn to a widely circulated story alleging that His Excellency, Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo, GCON, former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This claim is entirely false and without any basis,” the statement said.
Sani further explained that the photograph being circulated to back the defection rumour — showing Sambo with Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani — is an old image.
“The photograph supporting this falsehood, showing His Excellency with the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, is not recent. It was taken years ago during a condolence visit by the Governor to His Excellency’s residence in Abuja, following the demise of his brother, the late Sani Sambo. The image is now being deliberately misrepresented to fit a contrived narrative,” he clarified.
He added that the false report emerged after the recent defection of Sani Sidi, an ally of the former vice president, to the APC along with his supporters in Kaduna.
“Following numerous calls and inquiries, I have taken the liberty on the authority of His Excellency’s family to issue this formal rebuttal. I categorically state that the story is a fabrication, laced with mischief and aimed at misleading the public,” Sani said.
He also noted that Sambo is scheduled to attend the commissioning of a 300-bed hospital in Kaduna on June 19, 2025 — a project he initiated while in office — and cautioned against interpreting his presence at the event as political.
“His invitation to witness the completion of this legacy project, and possibly offer a few remarks, must not be misconstrued as a political endorsement or as confirmation of any partisan shift,” the statement added.
“For the avoidance of doubt, His Excellency, Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo remains a loyal and committed member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He has no intention of joining any other political party. The defection story is purely the figment of the imagination of its authors, calculated to sow confusion and achieve cheap political mileage,” the statement added.