The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday continued to attract major political figures and grassroots supporters across Nigeria.

Several opposition leaders from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) formally defected to the party in Zamfara, Kano, and Cross River states.

In Zamfara, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, yesterday received 15 top PDP leaders into the APC, describing their decision as ?bold, timely, and patriotic.?

The defectors, comprising state and zonal PDP executives, were presented to the Minister in Abuja by Zamfara APC Chairman, Tukur Umar Danfulani, alongside Senator Tijjani Yahaya Kaura and Lawal M. Liman.

Matawalle, a former governor of the state, assured the new members of equal treatment, noting that their defection reflected the growing acceptance of the APC nationwide.

?Our party is more popular and united than ever before,? he said.

?The APC will continue to strengthen its base with strategies and welfare programmes that directly impact the people.?

The Zamfara APC Chairman, Danfulani, said the defectors included PDP Youth Leader Isiyaka M. Dabo, Zonal Treasurer (Zamfara West) Nasiru Mohammed Anka, Organising Secretary (Zamfara North) Junaidu Magaji Kiyawa, and Assistant Organising Secretary (Zamfara West) Hon. Musa Halilu Faru. Others were PDP Zonal Secretary (Zamfara North) Alhaji Lawali Aliyu Shinkafi, and ex-officio members Hajiya Rabi Bakura and Hajiya Amina Duniya.

Senator Kaura said a grand reception would soon be organised by Senator Abdulaziz Yari and Matawalle to celebrate the defectors.

?Their coming strengthens our structure ahead of the 2027 elections,? he noted.

In her remarks, Amina Duniya, who said she spent 25 years in the PDP, urged APC leaders to ensure fairness and justice, pledging to mobilise more women into the party.

Another defector, Bashar Mohammed Dogon Kade, a former PDP aspirant, said he left because ?the party only favours the rich.?

Danfulani expressed optimism that the APC would reclaim Zamfara in the next general elections. ?With our recent by-election victory and the calibre of leaders joining us, 2027 looks very promising for our party,? he said.

500 NNPP supporters join APC in Kano

Similarly, in Kano, no fewer than 500 supporters of the NNPP from Fagge and Ungogo local government areas dumped their party for the APC.

The Managing Director of Hadejia received the defectors?Jam?are River Basin Development Authority, Engr. Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, who said their move reflected growing confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu?s leadership and APC?s progressive vision.

?People are aligning with APC?s policies on development and economic renewal,? Bichi said, citing recent defections of governors and top opposition figures as proof of the party?s appeal.

He assured the new members of fair treatment and integration into the party, adding that APC?s economic and agricultural policies were resonating at the grassroots.

Representing the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Kano APC Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, commended the defectors for joining the ?party of progress,? while the Kano Central APC Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Ungogo, said Tinubu?s reforms had ?restored public confidence in governance.?

The new entrants said they were impressed by the administration?s developmental strides, especially in infrastructure and economic growth, and pledged to mobilise more NNPP members to the APC ahead of 2027.

Cross River PDP Senator, Jarigbe defects to APC

In a separate development, the last remaining PDP senator from Cross River State, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, officially defected to the APC following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Jarigbe, who represents Cross River North Senatorial District, was accompanied to the closed-door meeting by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and was received by the President alongside Senator Kaila Dahuwa.

The defection marks another major blow to the PDP in Cross River, coming barely four months after Hon. Peter Akpanke, member representing Obanliku/Bekwarra/Obudu Federal Constituency, also joined the ruling party.

Jarigbe praised President Tinubu?s performance, saying, ?Mr President is doing very well. His leadership inspires confidence, and I?m happy to align with his Renewed Hope vision.?

Senate President Akpabio described the defection as ?another testimony that the President?s leadership is uniting Nigerians,? adding that the new APC members ?are Mr President?s children, committed to building a better nation.?

Political analysts said Jarigbe?s defection further consolidates APC?s dominance in Cross River State, where most former PDP figures?including Governor Bassey Otu?s predecessors?have switched allegiance to the ruling party.

The series of defections across regions signals renewed momentum for the APC as the country inches closer to the 2027 general elections.

Party sources said the leadership plans to hold a national reception for recent defectors in the coming weeks. (The Nation)

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