No fewer than 15 top leaders of the Zamfara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defected to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and were received by the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle, in Abuja.

The statement issued by Comrade Yusuf Idris Gusau, the APC Publicity Secretary, to reporters revealed that the decamped PDP faithful were presented by the APC Chairman, Hon. Tukur Umar Danfulani, Senator Tijjani Yahaya, and Hon. Lawal M. Liman to the Honourable Minister on Tuesday, October 22.

The minister, who welcomed them, assured equal treatment and opportunities with all other progressive members of the party.

He described their decision to join the progressive APC as bold and timely, considering the popularity and acceptance of the party in the state and the nation at large.

Matawalle also commended the Zamfara State leadership of the party for its commitment in consultation and mobilisation within the state, which has made the party more acceptable and popular in all the nooks and crannies of the state.

He further stated that the APC will continue to be more united and strong with the current strategy mapped out in ensuring that welfare packages are being delivered to the people of the state.

While presenting the APC new entrants in an exciting happy atmosphere, the State Chairman of the party, Hon. Tukur Umar Danfulani, maintained that the 15 key officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara State, including state and zonal executives, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The decamped PDP faithful, who held various strategic positions in the party, were earlier received into the APC by Senator Tijjani Yahaya Kaura on behalf of Senator Abdul?aziz Yari, former governor and senator representing Zamfara West.

Among those who joined the APC were PDP Youth Leader, Isiyaka M. Dabo; Zonal Treasurer of Zamfara West, Nasiru Mohammed Anka; PDP Organising Secretary, Zamfara North, Junaidu Magaji Kiyawa; Assistant Organising Secretary, Zamfara West, Hon. Musa Halilu Faru.

Others included Alh. Lawali Aliyu Shinkafi, PDP Zonal Secretary, Zamfara North; Hajiya Rabi Bakura, ex officio; and Hajiya Amina Duniya, State ex-officio.

Senator Tijjani Yahaya Kaura informed the new members that both Yari and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, will host an elaborate ceremony to welcome all defectors on a suitable date that would be decided later.

At the joy of the moment, he expressed: ?It is a great day for our party.? He noted that their coming into the APC will strengthen the party?s structure and boost the party?s strength in the 2027 general elections.

He described the defection of PDP executive members to the opposition APC in the state as a good omen, urging the new entrants to work collectively to consolidate the APC?s growing popularity.

In his remarks, the State APC Chairman, Hon. Tukur Umar Danfulani, assured the newcomers of full integration, noting that the APC ?remains open and fair to all those committed to its progress.?

In their separate speeches while handing over their PDP membership cards, Isiyaka M. Dabo said he left the PDP because the party favours only the rich, stressing that he was inspired by Senator Yari and Matawalle?s leadership to join the winning party.

Amina Duniya, who said she spent 25 years in the PDP, called on APC leaders to ensure fairness and justice, pledging to mobilise more supporters.

Other defectors included Bashar Mohammed Dogon Kade, a former PDP aspirant for the Kaura Namoda South constituency, and Rilwanu Bello, an ex-councillorship aspirant.

APC State Chairman, Hon. Tukur Umar Danfulani, said that the defectors comprised members of the PDP State Executive Committee, a House of Assembly aspirant, a former local government chairmanship aspirant, his campaign coordinator and a councillor.

Danfulani dismissed speculations of crisis within the APC, insisting that the party is strong, united, and getting more popular by the day.

He added: ?With our recent victory in the state by-election and the calibre of people joining us, it is clear that APC will reclaim Zamfara in 2027.?

The formal reception of the PDP executive into the APC was attended by the immediate past APC Chairman, Hon. Lawal M. Gabdon Kaura; former Secretary to the Zamfara State Government, Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe; MD NIAC, Hon. Yazid Shehu Danfulani; former Commissioner of Justice, Barr. Aminu Junaidu; Alhaji Shaayau Yusuf Talata-Mafara; Special Adviser Political Matters to the Minister, Hon. Ibrahim Maigandi Danmalikin Gidan Goga; Publicity Secretary, Malam Yusuf Idris Gusau; Welfare Secretary, Hon. Bashir Idris Ataka; APC Youth Leader, Hon. Musa Idris Ardo; and Assistant Welfare Secretary, Alhaji Shehu J. Muhammad.

Others included Hon. Aliyu Ango Kagara, Member representing Talata Mafara South; Hon. Kamilu Sa?idu, Member representing Kaura Namoda South; former Zamfara State House of Assembly leader, Hon. Isah Abdumuminu Talata-Mafara; former Gusau Local Government Sole Administrator, Hon. Sanusi Mohammed Sarki; former Special Adviser ZUREP, Hon. Anas Abdullahi Kaura; former Director General Protocol, Aliyu Sani Bk; and Lawal Umar Maradun, among others. (The Sun)

Update news