About 15 key officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) inState, including state and zonal executives, have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The decampees, who held various strategic positions in the PDP, were formally received into the APC by Alhaji Tijani Yahaya on behalf of former Governor and Senator representing Zamfara West, Abdul’aziz Yari, in Abuja on Wednesday.

Among those who defected were former PDP Youth Leader Sahad Dabo, former Treasurer Nasiru Anka, former Organising Secretary Janaidu Magaji Kiyawa, and another former Organising Secretary Musa Halilu Faru. Others included former Zonal Organising Secretary Lawali Aliyu, Hajiya Rabi Bakura, and ex-officio members Hajiya Amina Duniya and Alhaji Tijani Yahaya.

Yahaya said Yari and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, would host an elaborate ceremony to officially welcome the defectors upon their return to the country.

“It is a great day for our party. Their coming into the APC will strengthen our structure and boost our chances in the 2027 elections,” he said.
Yahaya added that both new and old members would enjoy equal opportunities in the party.

He described the defection of PDP executive members into an opposition party in the state as a good omen and urged the new entrants to work collectively to consolidate the APC’s growing popularity.

Yahaya later handed the defectors over to the APC State Chairman, Tukur Umar Danfulani, who commended Yari and Matawalle for their efforts in strengthening the party across Zamfara.

Danfulani assured the newcomers of full integration, noting that the APC “remains open and fair to all who are committed to its progress.”

Dabo, while handing over his PDP membership card, said he left because the opposition party only favours the rich, stressing that he was inspired by Yari’s leadership.

Amina Duniya, who said she spent 25 years in the PDP, called on APC leaders to ensure fairness and justice, pledging to mobilise more supporters into the fold.

Other defectors included Bashar Mohammed Dogon Kade, a former PDP aspirant for the Kaura Namoda South constituency, and Rilwanu Bello, a former councillorship aspirant.

APC State Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Gusau, confirmed that the defectors comprised members of the PDP State Executive Committee, a House of Assembly aspirant, a former local government chairmanship aspirant, his campaign coordinator, and a councillor.

Gusau dismissed speculations of a crisis within the APC, insisting that the party is strong, united, and more popular by the day.

He added: “With our recent victory in the state by-election and the calibre of people joining us, it is clear that APC will reclaim Zamfara in 2027.”