Fifteen top leaders of the Zamfara PDP have defected from their old party to the opposition All Progressives Congress, the APC.
Chairman of the APC in Zamfara Tukur Umar Danfulani presented the defectors to the Minister of State Defense Bello Matawalle.
Minister Bello Matawalle urged party leaders in Zamfara to accord the defectees equal opportunities to contribute to party development
He described their decision to join the APC as bold and timely, considering the popularity and acceptance of the party in the state and the nation at large.
Matawalle also commended the state party leadership for its consultation and continued mobilisation within the state, which has made the party more acceptable and popular in all the nooks and crannies of the state.
He further said that APC will continue to be more united and strong with the current strategy mapped out and its welfare packages being delivered to the people of the state.
Earlier state APC Chairman stated that, the defectees comprises state executives as well as those from the Zonal.
He stated that the defectees include PDP Youth Leader, Isiyaka M. Dabo; Zonal Treasurer of Zamfara West, Nasiru Mohammed Anka; PDP Organising Secretary, Zamfara North Junaidu Magaji Kiyawa, Assistant Organising Secretary Zamfara West, Hon. Musa Halilu Faru.
Others included Alh Lawali Aliyu Shinkafi PDP Zonal Secretary Zamfara North, Hajiya Rabi Bakura; ex officio and Hajiya Amina Duniya state ex-officio.
He described the defection of PDP executive members to the opposition APC in the state as a good omen urging the new entrants to work collectively to consolidate the APC’s growing popularity.
In his remarks, the state APC Chairman Hon. Tukur Umar Danfulani assured the newcomers of full integration, noting that the APC “remains open and fair to all those committed to its progress.”
In their separate speeches while handing over their PDP membership cards, Isiyaka M. Dabo. said he left the PDP because the party favours only the rich, stressing that he was inspired by Senator Yari and Matawalle’s leadership to join the winning party.
Amina Duniya, who said she spent 25 years in the PDP, called on APC leaders to ensure fairness and justice, pledging to mobilise more supporters.
Other defectors included Bashar Mohammed Dogon Kade, a former PDP aspirant for the Kaura Namoda South constituency, and Rilwanu Bello, an ex-councillorship aspirant.
According to the APC Spokesman in Zamfara Yusuf Idris Gusau, APC Chairman Danfulani also dismisses speculations of crisis within the APC, insisting that the party is strong, united, and getting more popular by the day.
He added: “With our recent victory in the state by-election and the calibre of people joining us, it is clear that APC will reclaim Zamfara in 2027.”
