• Group warns against Zamfara gov’s alleged defection plans as Kebbi govt declares PDP dead
• Despite defections, we don’t want one-party state, says APC
The gale of defection from opposition political parties intensifies as two members of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Abdullahi Rogo and Kabiru Rurum have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The two lawmakers represent Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya and Karaye/Rogo federal constituency of Kano State.
However, a group of APC supporters in Zamfara State has urged the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, to reject Governor Dauda Lawal’s attempt to defect to the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
Meanwhile, the Kebbi State Government has declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) politically irrelevant in the state following the defection of its three serving senators to the APC.
Despite recent defections from opposition parties to its fold, APC said it has no intention of turning Nigeria into a one-party state.
Also, PDP member representing Obokun/Oriade federal constituency of Osun State, Wole Oke, joined the APC at plenary presided over by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.
On hand to witness the defection on the floor of the House was Ganduje, accompanied by some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.
The Minority Whip, Isa Ali, faulted the defection of the lawmakers on the basis that it was against constitutional provisions.
As of yesterday, no fewer than 30 members of the opposition political parties have dumped their parties for the APC.
THE APC group, operating under the banner of Zamfara APC Supporters (ZAS), issued a strongly worded statement, accusing Governor Lawal of seeking political refuge in the APC to evade corruption investigations.
Muttaka Bore, who chairs the group, said the governor’s alleged plan was driven by fear of prosecution over reported links to former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
He described the move as an attempt to secure a “soft landing” by aligning with the ruling party to shield himself from ongoing investigations.
Bore said: “Dauda always boasts that the people voted for him. We are saying he should remain in the PDP and test his popularity to see if he can secure even 20 per cent of the votes. We are not asking him to join us, but it would be better for him to test his popularity come 2027. Governor Dauda wants to reap where he did not sow.
“We, the APC members in Zamfara, are satisfied with our leaders and do not welcome an additional burden.”
IN a statement issued yesterday, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Ahmed, said the defection of Senators Adamu Aliero, Garba Maidoki and Yahaya Abdullahi on Tuesday marked the final collapse of the opposition in the state, which he attributed to Governor Nasir Idris’ performance and leadership style since taking office in 2023.
“The party has been on life support for months. The exit of Aliero, Maidoki and Abdullahi is the final nail in the coffin. These were the party’s strongest pillars. With their defection, the PDP has nothing left to stand on in Kebbi,” the statement reads.
SPEAKING on Arise Television’s ‘The Morning Show’, yesterday, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the growing number of defections did not suggest the party was trying to eliminate opposition or push for a one-party system.
He recalled that when PDP was in power, it controlled over 28 states, yet was not accused of harbouring a one-party ambition.
Morka defended the right of opposition members to join the APC, if they identify with the ruling party’s ideology and leadership.
He dismissed concerns over the one-party narrative and maintained that the APC was only focused on strengthening itself and ensuring its continued relevance.
