Three members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, State Executive Committee and six local government chairmen have defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Sokoto State.
The defectors were received into the APC by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Faruku Labbo, according to a statement issued on Tuesday 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 PDP was influenced by Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s treatment of opposition members.
He said the governor had not intimidated or witch-hunted them despite their previous affiliation with the opposition party.
“The governor has never witch-hunted or intimidated any of us despite our previous political affiliation with the opposition party,” Mai Rago said.
He also cited government projects across the state as another reason for their decision to join the APC.
Among those listed as defectors are Aliyu Mai Shinkafa, PDP executive member in Binji LGA; Mohammed Yusuf, PDP chairman in Kware LGA; Altine Gudu, PDP chairman in Gudu LGA; Manir Tureta, PDP chairman in Tureta LGA; and Abubakar Ango Bodinga, PDP chairman in Bodinga LGA.
Others include Mu’awiyya Noma, PDP chairman in Tangaza LGA; Muntari Dan Dare, PDP chairman in Silame LGA; Bello Garba Iya, PDP secretary in Sabon Birni LGA; and Almustafa S. Tudu, PDP secretary in Tambuwal LGA.
Also listed are 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.
The statement also said members of the Amalgamated Association of ADC Traders, Youths and Students Stakeholders and executives of the ADC Tudun Wada Ward had defected to the APC.