Dr Ahmad Hashim, an African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for governor in Zamfara, and Alhaji Abubakar Gandi, a Young Progressive Party (YPP) candidate for deputy governor, have defected from their respective parties and joined the APC (APC).
Yusuf Idris, the APC's state publicity secretary, said as much in a statement that was made public on Tuesday in Gusau.
Idris said, “The opposition political parties, including the ADC, YPP, AAC, and NNPP, have received a serious blow in Zamfara following the defection of their top candidates in the upcoming general elections to the ruling APC.
“The ADC governorship candidate, Dr Ahmad Hashim, led three senatorial candidates, five House of Reps candidates and 11 state House of Assembly candidates to the Gusau Government House, where they announced their defection to the APC.
“During the event, the YPP deputy governorship candidate, Alhaji Abubakar Gandi, Zamfara West senatorial candidate and Talata Mafara Local Government Chairman and Secretary of the party also announced their defection to the APC.”
Idris said that the party’s candidates for the national and state houses of assembly, as well as the state deputy chairman and secretary of the party, Jamilu Dinawa Isah Saminu, and the party’s organizing secretary, all joined the party in power, the APC.
“The progressive party also received the African Action Congress (AAC) senatorial candidate of Zamfara West, Hon. Bello Danda and the party’s Chairman and Secretary of Talata Mafara Local Government, Zulkifilu Ma’azu and Huzaifa Zubairu, respectively.
“The House of Representatives candidate of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) for Maru/Bungudu Federal Constituency, Yunusa Yalbai, also announced his defection to the APC winning train.
“In their separate remarks, the defectors said they were satisfied with the APC- led administration in the state under Gov. Bello Matawalle which motivated them to join the party,” he added.
The majority of defectors spoke positively about the state government's actions to address crime and other security concerns.
Sen. Tijjani Yahaya-Kaura, who leads the committee responsible for welcoming the defectors into the APC party, reassured them that their decision was a good one and that they would be treated equally to other party members.
He urged them to continue their efforts to promote the APC and secure votes for the upcoming general elections in the state and across Nigeria. Yahaya-Kaura also serves as the Director-General of the APC Governorship Campaign Council in the state.