THIS DAWN — In a significant political development in Taraba State, Hon. Acho Righteous, a former candidate for the Gassol 1 Constituency under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has officially resigned from the party and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
His defection coincides with APC’s aggressive push to expand its grassroots base through a newly launched e-registration campaign.
The campaign targets 300,000 new members across the state.
Acho submitted his resignation letter on January 16, 2026, addressed to the ADC Chairman of Sabongida Ward, Gassol Local Government Area.
In the letter, he expressed gratitude for the support received during his time with the ADC.
He, however, stated that he had decided to align with the APC to support the Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to him, he believes that the Renewed Hope Agenda will drive national progress.
APC’s Digital Mobilization Strategy
The APC’s e-registration initiative was unveiled during a high-profile event in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.
The campaign aims to digitally enroll 300,000 new members, leveraging mobile technology and online platforms to reach youth, rural voters, and previously unregistered supporters.
Key highlights of the campaign include:
- Deployment of mobile registration units across all 16 local government areas.
- Integration with national APC databases to streamline member verification.
- Training of local party agents to assist with digital onboarding.
Party leaders described the initiative as a modern approach to political mobilization, designed to enhance transparency, accessibility, and engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Strategic Implications
The dual developments—Acho’s defection and the e-registration launch—signal a strategic shift in Taraba’s political dynamics:
- For ADC: The loss of a prominent member like Hon. Acho Righteous may weaken its influence in Gassol and surrounding constituencies, especially if other members follow suit.
- For APC: The party gains not only a new member but also a potential mobilizer with local credibility. The e-registration campaign could significantly boost its voter base in a traditionally competitive state.
- For Taraba Politics: These moves may intensify political competition, with parties now racing to consolidate support ahead of the next election cycle.
Reactions and Outlook
While ADC has yet to issue an official response to Acho’s resignation, political analysts suggest the party may need to reassess its grassroots strategy to retain relevance.
Meanwhile, APC’s digital push is being watched closely by other parties, some of which are considering similar tech-driven outreach programs.
Hon. Acho’s alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda reflects a broader trend of politicians gravitating toward platforms they believe offer national visibility and policy traction.
His move could inspire other defections, especially if APC’s promises of reform and inclusion resonate with local leaders.
