In a significant political shift in Sokoto State, three members of the Peoples Democratic Party State Executive Committee alongside six local government chairmen have officially defected to the All Progressives Congress. The mass defection alters the regional political landscape as prominent opposition figures align with the ruling administration.
According to an official release issued on Tuesday by Abubakar Bawa, the Director General of Media and Publicity at the Sokoto Government House, the new members were officially welcomed into the APC fold by Faruku Labbo, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters.
What motivated the mass defection?
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Shehu Abdullahi Mai Rago explained that their choice to abandon the opposition platform was largely inspired by the administrative approach of Governor Ahmed Aliyu. Mai Rago noted that the governor has maintained an open-door policy, refusing to target, intimidate, or victimize political opponents despite their previous allegiance.
"The governor has never witch-hunted or intimidated any of us despite our previous political affiliation with the opposition party," Mai Rago stated during the reception.
Furthermore, the defectors pointed to infrastructural developments executed by the current administration across various communities in the state as a key factor that swayed their loyalty toward the APC.
Who are the key figures involved?
The high-profile switch includes several notable local chapter leaders. Among those who moved to the ruling party are Aliyu Mai Shinkafa, a state executive member from Binji Local Government Area; Mohammed Yusuf, Kware LGA chairman; Altine Gudu, Gudu LGA chairman; Manir Tureta, Tureta LGA chairman; and Abubakar Ango Bodinga, Bodinga LGA chairman.
Additional defectors feature Mu’awiyya Noma, Tangaza LGA chairman; Muntari Dan Dare, Silame LGA chairman; Bello Garba Iya, Sabon Birni LGA secretary; and Almustafa S. Tudu, Tambuwal LGA secretary.
Women and youth leaders also joined the movement, including Balkisu Yusuf, Sokoto North LGA youth leader; Naja’atu Buhari, state youth leader; Bilkisu Sidi, women leader for Waziri B Ward; and Sadiya Umar, Zawarawa women leader.
Beyond the PDP structure, the statement confirmed that members of the Amalgamated Association of ADC Traders, Youths and Students Stakeholders, as well as executives of the African Democratic Congress in Tudun Wada Ward, equally pitched their tent with the APC.