No fewer than 15 top leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara State have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), further strengthening the ruling party’s base in the state.
The defectors were formally presented to the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, by Zamfara APC Chairman, Hon. Tukur Umar Danfulani, Senator Tijjani Yahaya, and Hon. Lawal M. Liman at an event held in Abuja.
Welcoming the new members, Matawalle commended their decision to join the APC, describing it as “bold and timely”, given the party’s growing popularity in Zamfara and across the country.
He assured the defectors of equal treatment and opportunities within the party, adding that their inclusion would further strengthen the APC’s unity and outreach efforts.
“The party is now more acceptable and popular in all nooks and crannies of the state,” Matawalle said.
“The APC will continue to be more united and strong with the current strategy mapped out and the welfare packages being delivered to the people of Zamfara State.”
In a statement issued by the Zamfara APC Publicity Secretary, Malan Yusuf Idris, the defectors were identified as PDP Youth Leader, Isiyaka M. Dabo; Zonal Treasurer (Zamfara West), Nasiru Mohammed Anka; Organising Secretary (Zamfara North), Junaidu Magaji Kiyawa; Assistant Organising Secretary (Zamfara West), Hon. Musa Halilu Faru; Zonal Secretary (Zamfara North), Alhaji Lawali Aliyu Shinkafi; Hajiya Rabi Bakura, and Hajiya Amina Duniya, both state ex-officio members.
Others included Bashar Mohammed Dogon Kade, a former PDP aspirant for the Kaura Namoda South Constituency, and Rilwanu Bello, a former councillorship aspirant.
APC Chairman Danfulani assured the new members of full integration into the party structure, reiterating that the APC remains “open and fair to all those committed to its progress.”
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Isiyaka M. Dabo explained that he left the PDP because the party “favours only the rich”, adding that he was inspired by the leadership qualities of Senator Abdulaziz Yari and Matawalle to join what he called “the winning team.”
Another defector, Amina Duniya, who disclosed that she had spent 25 years in the PDP, called on APC leaders to uphold fairness and justice. She also pledged to mobilise more supporters for the party ahead of future elections.
