Many supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party have defected to the All Progressives Congress in Jigawa State.

Speaking on defection during the 6th edition of the Government and Citizens Engagement programme held on Sunday at Buji Local Government Area, Governor Umar Namadi welcomed the defectors, expressing his delight at the growing support for the APC in the state.

Recall that the “Government and Citizens Engagement” is a platform introduced by the state government to enable citizens to interact with government officials, express their concerns and also provide an opportunity for government officials to showcase their achievements and plans for the state.

Namadi said, “We are happy to welcome our new members to the APC family,

“This defection is a testament to the good work we are doing in Jigawa State, and we will continue to work towards the development of our state.”

Namadi, therefore, assured the decampees of fairness, equity, and inclusivity within the party and promised to carry them along with other members, reiterating that “Your voices will continue to be heard, respected, and valued.”

“We will ensure that everyone is treated equally and allowed to contribute to the party’s growth and development,” he assured.

The governor, however, urged the new members to continue supporting his administration with constructive advice and to spread the good news of the party’s vision and mission to their communities.

He told the decampees that “Your coming will help build a stronger, more united party that can deliver on its promises to the people of Jigawa State.

“We need your support and good counsel to drive our development agenda forward, and together, we can achieve great things and take Jigawa State to new heights.”

Earlier, the defectors who were led by Idris Maikura, Unguwar Maina, Chirbun ward, expressed their reasons for joining the APC.

“We have seen the good work being done by Governor Umar Namadi, and we believe that the APC is the best platform to achieve our development goals.

“We are confident that the APC will take Jigawa State to the next level, and we are excited to be part of it, he said.

The defection has sparked reactions from various quarters, with the PDP state Chairman, Ali Diginsa, expressing disappointment. When contacted via telephone by our correspondent.

Dinginsa Musa said, “We are not surprised, but we are disappointed. These individuals have abandoned the PDP for personal gains, and we will not miss them.”

Efforts to speak to the leader of the NNPP in the state, Aminu Ringim, proved abortive, as his phone line was not available despite several call attempts by our correspondent.

Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has rubbished Ikenga Ugochinyere, the House of Representatives member representing Ideato Federal Constituency in Imo State, as a habitual liar.

Olayinka made the remarks in response to Ugochinyere’s recent demand that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) expel both Wike and the party’s embattled National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu. Ugochinyere had also advocated for the removal of PDP’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, insisting these actions were crucial to resolving the party’s internal crisis.

In his statement, Ugochinyere warned of an impending crisis, urging the NWC to take swift action:
“To prevent this looming disaster, the NWC must urgently convene an emergency meeting and, with or without Damagum, use their majority to expel Anyanwu—the party’s political traitor—and confirm the appointment of a substantive National Chairman from the North Central region.”

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In a sharp rebuttal during an interview with Daily Post, Olayinka labeled Ugochinyere a “political Hushpuppi,” accusing him of exploiting political platforms for dubious motives.

“Ugochinyere embodies the lies and deception troubling the PDP,” Olayinka said.
“He’s nothing more than a political Hushpuppi, constantly on the lookout for a platform to carry out his Yahoo Yahoo brand of politics.
“Soon enough, when the PDP needs him, he’ll be nowhere to be found.”