Six local government chairmen and several members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) State Executive Committee have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State, a development announced on Tuesday.
The defectors were formally received by Faruku Labbo, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, according to a statement issued by Abubakar Bawa, Director General of Media and Publicity for the Sokoto Government House.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Shehu Abdullahi Mai Rago said the move was motivated by Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s treatment of opposition members. He emphasized that the governor “has never witch‑hunted or intimidated any of us despite our previous political affiliation with the opposition party,” and added that ongoing government projects across the state also influenced their decision to join the APC.
The statement listed the following PDP officials who have switched allegiance:
- Aliyu Mai Shinkafa – PDP executive member, Binji LGA
- Mohammed Yusuf – PDP chairman, Kware LGA
- Altine Gudu – PDP chairman, Gudu LGA
- Manir Tureta – PDP chairman, Tureta LGA
- Abubakar Ango Bodinga – PDP chairman, Bodinga LGA
- Mu’awiyya Noma – PDP chairman, Tangaza LGA
- Muntari Dan Dare – PDP chairman, Silame LGA
- Bello Garba Iya – PDP secretary, Sabon Birni LGA
- Almustafa S. Tudu – PDP secretary, Tambuwal LGA
- Balkisu Yusuf – PDP youth leader, Sokoto North LGA
- Naja’atu Buhari – State PDP youth leader
- Bilkisu Sidi – PDP women leader, Waziri B Ward
- Sadiya Umar – PDP Zawarawa women leader
The statement also noted that members of the Amalgamated Association of ADC Traders, Youths and Students Stakeholders, as well as executives of the ADC Tudun Wada Ward, have joined the APC.
The defections represent a notable shift in Sokoto’s political landscape, bolstering the ruling APC’s ranks while dealing a setback to the PDP ahead of upcoming electoral contests.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
