Eight former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) State House of Assembly aspirants has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
A statement issued in Gusau on Tuesday by the state APC Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris said the former aspirants announced their defection at a meeting with Gov. Bello Matawalle on Tuesday in Gusau.
Idris said all of them had participated in various PDP state assembly primary elections in their respective constituencies across the state.
According to him, the defectors included: Kasimu Jafaru from Zurmi west constituency, Rukkayya Abdullahi from Zurmi east constituency, Isah Ibrahim-Labbo from Anka constituency and Abubakar Abdulaziz, from Tsafe east constituency.
The other defectors were: Bala Ibrahim and Jamilu Bawa from Birnin Magaji state assembly constituencies, Ibrahim Surajo from Zurmi west and the leader of the defecting team, Murtala Mainasara from Shinkafi constituency.
He said the defectors, who were presented to the governor by the state APC Chairman, Alhaji Tukur Danfulani, submitted all their PDP certificates of clearance to the governor.
“Our decision to join APC was due to a lack of political focus and direction in the PDP.
“Our defection to the APC was informed by the focused and visionary leadership style of governor Matawalle in tackling insecurity and bringing economic transformation,” Idris quoted Mainasara as saying.
Idris also quoted Matawalle as saying while receiving the defectors that APC was a party for all reasonable and patriotic Nigerians focusing on development.
“The governor commended them for what he described as a wise decision of joining the APC.
“Matawalle said he is not surprised over their decision considering their level of exposure and determination to bring development to the doorsteps of the electorate,” Idris said.
Earlier, while presenting the defectors to the governor, Danfulani said: ‘Ín the next few days, more PDP supporters would join APC.”
