In a bombshell political move that has sent shockwaves through Adamawa State and beyond, Rev. Dr. Habila M. Istifanus Katukan (Gangwari Ganye) has officially renounced his allegiance to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and crossed over to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The decision, both strategic and symbolic, signals a major realignment in the state’s political equilibrium—one born not out of opportunism, but of deep-seated disillusionment and unmet expectations.
Rev. Habila made the historic decision to dump the PDP for the APC on Wednesday, 16th July 2025, at exactly 10:00 am—a moment that will be remembered as a political watershed in Ganye and beyond.
Rev. Habila’s move is not without precedent. Once a running mate to Malam Nuhu Ribadu, now National Security Adviser to the President of Nigeria, the duo had contested for governor and deputy governor respectively under the PDP platform. Their alliance, built on mutual trust and political vision, has now been rekindled under the APC banner, raising speculation about a broader political resurgence.
Rev. Habila’s departure from the PDP comes after years of loyal service, immeasurable sacrifice, and unflinching dedication. Despite being one of the most respected grassroots leaders in the state, his commitment was met with repeated neglect, humiliation, and betrayal by the very party he helped build and sustain.
Having once exited the PDP due to marginalization, he was persuaded back into the fold by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who made personal appeals and promises of proper recognition. Yet, upon his return and renewed efforts—especially in the high-stakes 2023 gubernatorial elections—Rev. Habila was once again passed over, his political capital squandered by party handlers and silent saboteurs.
Instead of being rewarded with a befitting position, he was handed an SSA role—an appointment many described as a slap in the face of his towering political profile. This, for many of his supporters, marked the final insult.
A Leader Whose Influence Defies Boundaries
Born on February 15, 1960, in Gangkero village, Ganye LGA, Rev. Habila is more than a politician; he is a statesman, a bridge-builder, and a humanitarian. His work through Justice Peace and Reconciliation Movement (JPRM) and the Association of Christian Lay Centres in Africa (ACLCA) has earned him national and international recognition.
His tenure as Chairman of Ganye Local Government was marked by innovation, empowerment programs, and widespread development, particularly in youth capacity building and economic self-reliance. He remains a symbol of grassroots politics at its finest—a leader who blends spiritual integrity with political dexterity.
The shock of his defection has sparked outrage among PDP loyalists and youth groups in Ganye. The Ganye Youths Patriotic Front (GYPF) condemned the systematic sidelining of Rev. Habila, calling it “an act of political sabotage fueled by cabals within the PDP determined to clip the wings of progressive voices.”
A youth leader expressed:
> “Rev. Habila is the reason PDP is still alive in Ganye. He refused to follow the path of betrayal during the last elections. His defection is a wake-up call—one that tells us loyalty without reward is slavery.”
Politics, as Rev. Habila subtly alludes, is about interests. Where one’s interest is not protected or valued, it is only rational to seek refuge elsewhere. The APC, with its expanding influence and reformist momentum, offers him a platform where his experience and energy can be put to more impactful use.
His defection is not a mere change of party—it is a liberation from unfulfilled promises, internal sabotage, and political inertia. It is a statement of intent: that politics must serve the people, not cabals; that hard work must be rewarded, not ridiculed.
Rev. Habila’s departure should set off alarm bells in PDP’s highest corridors. When committed party architects are pushed out while political tourists are rewarded, disintegration becomes inevitable. His case is emblematic of a deeper rot—one that could unravel the party from within unless urgent reforms are made.
As Rev. Dr. Habila M. Istifanus KATUKAN Gangwari Ganye dons the colors of the APC, he does so not in retreat, but in resurgence. The man who gave his all to the PDP is now poised to become one of the APC’s most valuable assets in Adamawa—and possibly beyond.
For the PDP, this is a tragic loss.
For the APC, a strategic gain.
And for Nigerian politics, a thunderous reminder: Loyalty unappreciated breeds revolution.
PIONEER NEWS 