Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Aminu Achida and three governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have dumped the party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Gatekeepers News reports that the Delta State Governor and PDP Vice-Presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa received the Achida and other defectors on Sunday in Sokoto.
The governorship aspirants who defected to the PDP are former sports minister Yusuf Suleiman, Abubakar Gumbi and serving federal legislator in the House of Representatives Balarabe Salame. Other defectors include Yusuf Kurdula, Bello Gada, Murtala Maigona and Jibril Gada.
“Our party is working judiciously to salvage the country from its current challenges of insecurity and other numerous challenges,” Okowa said, adding that “Atiku is the man to take Nigeria out of its present stage, as such our country of tomorrow needs everyone in the struggle by PDP.”
Sokoto Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, while reacting to the defection expressed joy over the development.
“Today you are returning home. I am happy that you are satisfied and convinced with the PDP leadership in Sokoto and Nigeria,” he said.
Tambuwal described Abubakar and Okowa as true nationalists with a passion for Nigeria’s prosperity and stressed that their combination would yield the right leadership.
On his part, PDP national chairman Iyorchia Ayu said the party was witnessing a favourable signal ahead of its victory in the 2023 general elections.
Ayu, represented by Umar Damagum, said, “This development is an indication that we are true democrats with vision. Our unity, resilience and strength demonstrate the party’s capacity to deliver to Nigerians what their yearnings are.”
