Defence Minister receives Zamfara PDP executives to APC

From Abdullahi .A Chakwa, Gusau

No fewer than 15 top leaders of the People Democratic Party PDP from Zamfara chapter defected to opposition APC in the state.

The state APC chairman, Hon. Tukur Umar Danfulani, Senator Tijjani Yahaya, and Hon. Lawal M Liman presented the decampees to the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle in Abuja.

The minister welcomed the decampees and assured them of equal treatment and opportunities with all other party members.

Bello Matawalle also 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 further commended the state party leadership for its consultation and mobilisation within the state.

“The party is more acceptable and popular in the all nooks and crannies of the state. The minister said.

“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. Matawalle said.

While presenting the APC new entrants, state Chairman of the party, Hon Tukur Umar Danfulani said 15 key officials of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara State, including state and zonal executives defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The decampees held various strategic positions in the PDP and now formally received into the APC by Senator Tijjani Yahaya Kaura on behalf of Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, former Governor and Senator representing Zamfara West.

A statement by the state APC publicity Secretary Malan Yusuf Idris said, among those who joined party includes 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

Senator Tijjani Yahaya Kaura assured the new members that both Sen. Yari and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, will host an elaborate ceremony to welcome the defectors on a suitably decided later date.

He explained that “it is a great day for our party. Their coming into the APC will strengthen our structure and boost the party strength in the 2027 elections.”

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.

The state chairman reassured the party victory coming next general elections.

“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.”