Fresh setback for PDP as Zamfara lawmaker leads massive defection to APC

By IbrahimG Ahmad

The ongoing exodus of members of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to other parties continued on Tuesday with the defection of Zamfara Assembly Maharazu Salisu and executives across the five wards of his Maradun ll Constituency to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmaker defected to APC with more than 1,000 members of PDP in his constituency.

He attributed his decision to leave e PDP on lack of fairness and justice by the party’s leadership while speaking at the APC state party office in Gusau on Tuesday.

He added that injustice in PDP and lack of fairness among the leaders of the party were among the factors that made him and his constituents to abandon the party for APC.

Salisu noted that in spite of the total support given to PDP-led government in the state during 2023 general elections by the electorate of Maradun ll, the constituency was neglected in terms of appointments.

The lawmaker lamented that no position or appointment was allocated to his constituency.

“I’m the only one left with PDP supporters in the area to handle their demands at all times and no dividends of democracy accrued to my people from the PDP led-government in the state.

“In line with this, I, Maharazu Salisu Faru and all PDP officials from the constituency of Maradun II, hereby announce my defection and all the PDP officials from the constituency, as well as over 1,000 constituents to the APC for the progress of my people.

“Notable figures among the defectors are party officials including party Chairmen of the five wards.

“They include the chairman of Magami ward, Ahmad Lawal, Tsibiri ward, Lawal Tsibiri, Gidangoga ward, Sanusi Ahmad and Shehu DanAbu, Maya ward,” he said.
A senior PDP chieftain from the constituency, Alhaji Salis Dodo also joined the APC during the event which attracted the APC leaders across the state.

Receiving the defectors, the APC State Chairman, Alhaji Tukur Danfulani assured them of full recognition into the party at all levels.

Danfulani promised to ensure that the defectors were given equal treatment regardless of the time they have joined the party.

He said more members of the PDP and other political parties would soon join the APC in the state before the end of the year, adding: “this is just the beginning, more and more are coming.”

He directed all APC officials from the polling units to the state to give the defectors equal opportunity in the party affairs.

Also speaking at the event, the former APC State Chairman, Alhaji Lawali Liman commended the party leaders in the state for their exemplary leadership.

Liman specifically applauded, Sen. Abdulaziz Yari (APC Zamfara West) and Minister of State for Defence, and former Governor, Dr Bello Matawalle for sustaining
their support to the party in the state.

Welcoming the defectors, Liman urged them to remain loyal members of the party in all circumstances and to do everything possible in projecting the image of the party.

(NAN)