• Bello’s aide, supporters follow suit in Kogi Central
• 11 political parties sign peace accord in Kebbi
Former Jigawa State deputy governor, Ahmad Mahmud; former speaker, Mustapha Kiyawa and hundreds All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kiyawa Local Council.
Also, in Kogi State, Okene Local Council former chairman, who is Governor Yahaya Bello’s aide, Yahaya Karaku, and thousands of his supporters have dumped the APC and pledged to support PDP’s Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is contesting the Kogi Central senate seat.
The Jigawa defectors announced their exit at a PDP rally in Kiyawa town, where the former deputy governor was quoted as saying they would work against APC in the March 11, 2023 gubernatorial elections.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Mahmud said: “We have concluded our plans to weaken the APC. In weeks to come, tsunami will hit APC in Jigawa and push it to the grave that it will not resurrect again to take power.
“I have already talked to my political allies and other good people of Jigawa in APC, and all have accepted to dump the party and join PDP to salvage our dear state.”
He described his last stay in the APC as painful, adding that the party has destroyed the foundation of peace and progress the state was built on and pushed it to the path of total collapse.
On his part, Kiyawa stated that his exit from the ruling APC to the opposition PDP was informed on lack of focus in the ruling party.
Karaku officially dumped the APC and his former boss during the presidential rally of PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja.
Regarded as one of the most influential and powerful grassroots mobilisers in Kogi Central, the former council chairman declared his unalloyed support for the candidacy of Atiku, Akpoti-Uduaghan and other PDP candidates.
He was received by the PDP National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, and other party stakeholders.
IN another development, 11 political parties have signed peace accord and promised to ensure a rancour-free elections in the February polls in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, yesterday.
According to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) records, 18 political parties registered for the general elections in the state, but only 11, including APC, PDP, Labour Party (LP) and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) signed the peace accord at the Shagalinku Hotel in Birnin Kebbi.
Speaking at the event, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Ahmed Mahmud, described the peace accord as important to ensure that political parties follow the rules guiding the conduct of the 2023 elections.
The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Kontagora, said Kebbi is known for its peaceful nature, which is occasioned by the commitment of its political stakeholders. He said the peace accord is coming at the right time, as the 2023 elections is around the corner.
Governor Abubakar Bagudu, represented by the Commissioner for Works, Abubakar Ladan, said: “We just witnessed the signing of the peace accord by political parties in Kebbi State. We consider it a significant effort to ensure peaceful conduct of the elections in the state.”
