Eight former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates for the Zamfara State House of Assembly have defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC).
According to a statement by the state APC Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris, the former aspirants reportedly confirmed their defection at a meeting with Governor Bello Matawalle on Tuesday in Gusau.
Idris asserted that they had all taken part in their individual constituency's primary elections for the PDP state assembly.
According to him, the defectors included Kasimu Jafaru from Zurmi west, Rukayya Abdullahi from Zurmi east, Isah Ibrahim-Labbo from Anka, and Abubakar Abdulaziz from Tsafe east.
Bala Ibrahim and Jamilu Bawa from the Birnin Magaji state assembly seats, Ibrahim Surajo from Zurmi west, and Murtala Mainasara from the Shinkafi constituency, who was in charge of the group that defected, were among the other individuals who departed.
According to reports, the defectors and their PDP clearance certificates were given to the governor by Alhaji Tukur Danfulani, the state's APC chairman.
“Our decision to join APC was due to a lack of political focus and direction in the PDP.
“Our defection to the APC was informed by Governor Matawalle’s focused and visionary leadership style in tackling insecurity and bringing economic transformation,” Mainasara was reported as saying by Idris.
Idris further said that, when welcoming the defectors, Matawalle noted that the APC was the party of choice for all sensible and patriotic Nigerians committed to the country’s future growth.
“The governor commended them for what he described as a wise decision to join the APC.
“Matawalle said he is not surprised over their decision considering their level of exposure and determination to bring development to the doorsteps of the electorate,” Idris stated.
The governor was presented with the defectors earlier, and Danfulani made the following prediction: “in the next few days, more PDP supporters would join APC.”