PDP, ADC chieftains dump parties for APC in Sokoto
A fresh wave of defections has hit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto State, following the defection of some Local Government Area (LGA) chairmen, members of the State Executive Committee and several youth and women leaders of the party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Prominent members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) also defected to the APC.
They were received into the APC by the Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on Political Matters, Alhaji Faruku Labbo, at his office in Sokoto.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday night by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Sokoto, Abubakar Bawa.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Shehu Abdullahi Mai Rago said their decision to leave the opposition parties was influenced by what he described as the leadership qualities of Governor Ahmed Aliyu.
He said that despite their previous political affiliations, the governor had neither intimidated nor persecuted them, adding that his disposition towards political opponents was one of the major reasons they decided to join the APC.
Mai Rago described Governor Aliyu as humble, respectful, purposeful and accessible, noting that his administration’s commitment to improving the lives of residents across the state had influenced their political decision.
He also commended the administration’s developmental projects, saying they covered various sectors and were benefiting different segments of the population.
The defectors pledged to work towards strengthening the APC in Sokoto State, with Mai Rago assuring the governor that they would mobilise other remaining PDP local government chairmen to join the ruling party.
In his remarks, Labbo commended the new APC members for what he described as their foresight in joining the party.
He urged them to mobilise their supporters and work for the party’s success in the forthcoming general elections, assuring them of full integration into the APC’s activities in the state.
Among those listed as defectors are Ahmed A. Umar and Aliyu Mai Shinkafa, identified as PDP executive members in Binji LGA; Mohammed Yusuf, PDP chairman in Kware LGA; Altine Gudu, PDP chairman in Gudu LGA; and Manir Tureta, PDP chairman in Tureta LGA.
Others include Bello Garba Iya, PDP secretary in Sabon Birni LGA; Abubakar Ango Bodinga, PDP chairman in Bodinga LGA; Mu’awiyya Noma, PDP chairman in Tangaza LGA; Muntari Dan Dare, PDP chairman in Silame LGA; and Almustafa S. Tudu, PDP secretary in Tambuwal LGA.
Also listed are Garba Iya, Balkisu Yusuf, PDP Youth Leader in Sokoto North LGA; Naja’atu Buhari, State PDP Youth Leader; Bilkisu Sidi, PDP Women Leader in Waziri B Ward; and Sadiya Umar, PDP Zawarawa Women Leader.
Meanwhile, members of the Amalgamated Association of ADC Traders, Youths and Students Stakeholders, executives of the ADC Tudun Wada Ward and other prominent ADC figures have also reportedly joined the APC.
Those mentioned include Alhaji Shehu Jalka of Tudun Wada B and Alhaji Badamasi of Magajin Rafi B.
The ADC defectors, like their PDP counterparts, reportedly attributed their decision to the ongoing developmental activities of the Sokoto State Government under Governor Ahmed Aliyu.