– Three Kebbi Senators plan to join the APC next week.
– Jigawa Minority Leader and numerous supporters depart for APC.
– President meets with governors and stakeholders from Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi.
– Ganduje: APC has systems in place for the smooth assimilation of defectors.
Three senators are preparing to defect from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), which will further weaken the opposition party’s support nationwide.
On Tuesday, Alhaji Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Alhaji Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South) are set to officially switch parties in the Senate.
This trend of defections has also seen Yahaya Zakari, the Minority Leader of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, along with hundreds of his supporters, migrate to the APC.
Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the APC, stated that this influx of new members will be managed smoothly through the party’s existing mechanisms.
The three Kebbi Senators met with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja yesterday to announce their plans to join the APC, accompanied by Ganduje and several officials, including the governors of Kebbi and Sokoto.
Ganduje reassured State House reporters that there would be no issues with integrating the new defectors, as the APC’s constitution provides clear guidance, and the party has the necessary political skills to handle such changes.
He noted that the addition of the three senators is both strategic and advantageous for the party, stemming from weeks of negotiations among key Kebbi State stakeholders.
“This aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s initiative to strengthen the APC’s numbers and quality of support,” Ganduje explained.
He confirmed the President endorsed the senators’ defection. “Watch for the developments on Tuesday in the Senate,” he hinted.
When asked whether this surge of defections signals a move towards a one-party system, Ganduje disagreed, asserting instead that it reflects the APC’s broad appeal. He emphasized that parties wishing to join the APC do so voluntarily, indicating strong governance.
Drawing parallels, he remarked, “While China operates a one-party system, we aren’t advocating for that—though if it’s the desire of Nigerians, we cannot contest it.”
Ganduje also criticized the multitude of political parties in Nigeria, arguing that they complicate governance, likening the situation to “too many cooks spoil the soup.”
In another shift, Yahaya Zakari was formally welcomed to the APC by Governor Umar Namadi in Jigawa State. The Governor assured that Zakari and other newcomers would be fully integrated into the party.
Motivated by what he described as inclusive leadership under Governor Namadi, Zakari stated his reasons for the switch were influenced by the equitable distribution of government resources throughout the state.
The State Assembly Speaker, Haruna Aliyu, who was part of the welcoming group, confirmed the Assembly is operating harmoniously and highlighted the APC’s growing popularity due to its effective governance.
Earlier this week, six members of the Delta State House of Representatives, all from the PDP, officially defected to the APC, joining former Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his administration.
In Kano South, Senator Kawu Sumaila also joined the APC, citing issues of misunderstanding and mistrust within his previous party, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
Additionally, a significant number of officials, including the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly and other lawmakers and local leaders, have transferred their allegiance from the PDP to the APC.
On a related note, Onyebuchi Ememanka, Chief Press Secretary to former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, has resigned from the PDP, expressing admiration for Governor Alex Otti’s projects. He hinted at revealing his new political affiliation soon but indicated a particular interest in the APC’s potential gubernatorial candidate for 2027.
After submitting his resignation, Ememanka shared on Facebook that his decision to leave the PDP was difficult but necessary following deep consideration and discussions with his family.
