The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the defection of Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara state to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as an act of unpardonable betrayal. The governor joined the APC last Tuesday. In a statement made available to pressmen on Saturday, Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP’s spokesman, called the governor’s defection an “unpardonable act of betrayal”, and said from Matawalle’s statement, it is clear that he joined the ruling party out of intimidation.

He said “the statement by Governor Matawalle further confirms that the APC has been promoting insecurity, particularly terrorism and kidnapping for ransom, in various parts of the country as a way to create an emergency situation to cover their atrocities, siphon public funds as well as intimidate and coerce state governors elected on the platform of other political parties to join their fold,” the statement reads.

“PDP holds that by this confession, it is therefore clear that Governor Matawalle did not defect to the APC because the Party has any democratic credential as erroneously claimed by the APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, but only surrendered to intimidation and cowardly joined those behind the killings and acts of violence in Nigeria,” the party said.
“Of course, the APC, as a party of political bandits, does not have any democratic credential to attract well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians. Governor Matawalle must however note that joining such individuals, who have brought so much anguish and pain to his people, is an unpardonable act of betrayal which will continue to act as an albatross particularly against the backdrop of his own vows.

“On the reclaiming of the governorship mandate, the PDP described Matawalle’s boast as the feeble kick of a disoriented and confused deserter, stressing that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is clear on the responsibilities of a deputy governor that finds himself under an absconding governor like Matawalle.”

Meanwhile, the immediate past national Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has declared that it takes a man of courage, conscience, principles and honour to make a long-awaited move as done by Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, who defected from the main opposition to the governing APC. He insisted that not many politicians in this clime would have the audacity to undertake such move from PDP to the APC.

Oshiomhole, yesterday in a letter he personally signed and made available to reporters in Benin by his media aide, Victor Oshioke, also welcomed Matawalle to the APC. The former Edo governor noted that it was with great pleasure, relief and deep sense of personal satisfaction that he welcomed Matawalle to the governing party. He stated that he had absolute confidence that all APC stakeholders in Zamfara state would welcome the governor with open arms and accord him his well-earned respect that he richly deserved.

Oshiomhole said: “It is with great pleasure, relief and deep sense of personal satisfaction that I welcome you to our party, the APC. I have for long looked forward to this day, when you will reunite with the APC, your original party. So that the good works and impressive performance which the people of Zamfara State enjoy under your administration, will be accurately documented as legacies of APC.

“I am delighted that your coming to the APC with your legion of supporters is not only a boost for our great party in terms of numbers, but brings on board our platform, a sound mind, accomplished administrator and proven performer, who has won the admiration of the Zamfara people by virtue of your exceptional leadership.” Zamfara governor last week defected from the PDP to the APC, over irreconcilable differences with some leaders of the main opposition party.” (The Nation)

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