40,000 opposition party members defect to APC in Katsina

More than 40,000 card-carrying members from various opposition parties have defected and joined the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in Katsina State.

The defectors were received at the Government House by Governor Dikko Radda on Tuesday evening.

Leading the group of defectors were former Deputy Speakers of the State House of Assembly, Yakubu Idris and Hassan Rawayau.

Other notable figures joining the mass defection included Isah Hamisu of the All Peoples Party (APP) and Musa Gafai, Chairman of Gafai Communication and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirants for the Federal House of Representatives.

Several former state legislators and local government chairmen were alo among the defectors that formally joined the ruling party.

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Radda, who welcomed them to the APC, pledged inclusive leadership and directed officials at all levels to fully integrate the new members into the ruling party’s activities.

He told them their “decision to join our progressive movement strengthens our resolve to build a greater Katsina state,” with call on them to join the APC-led government in accelerating development programmes that are already changing the state for the better.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Ya’u Umar, explained that the defectors represent a broad coalition from across the political spectrum.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, former Chairman of the PDP, Rabiu Gambo cited internal conflicts within opposition parties and Governor Radda’s credible electoral victory in 2023 as key factors in their decision to join the APC.