The member representing Tudun Wada Constituency at the Kano State House of Assembly, Sule Shuwaki, has defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), citing the need to align with family and supporters.
   
In another development, an aspirant for Ifedore/Idanre Federal Constituency of Ondo State, Rasaq Obe, has disclosed his intention to challenge what he described as the manipulated outcome of the APC’s recent primary election.
   
Shuwaki, in a resignation letter read at plenary yesterday by the Speaker, Ismail Falgore, disclosed that his decision followed “deep reflection and extensive consultation” with his political associates, supporters and family members.
  
The lawmaker, who failed to secure a return ticket to the assembly, added that he was pursuing a new political direction based on personal convictions, adding that political consultations had delayed the presentation of his resignation letter to the assembly.
   
However, Shuwaki thanked the APC leadership at the ward, council, state and national levels for the opportunity and support he received during his membership of the party.
   
Also, Falgore explained that the assembly leadership had sustained consultations with the lawmaker to dissuade him from proceeding with the decision.
   
Following his defection, the APC now has 37 lawmakers, two from the New Nigeria People’s Party and one from the PDP.
   
However, Obe, who alleged that the Ondo primary election results were tampered with to deprive him of his mandate, also dismissed the reports that he questioned President Bola Tinubu’s electoral prospects in the state ahead of the 2027 polls.
   
Speaking in Akure during a solidarity visit from party leaders and members of his constituency, Obe explained that his comments during a national television interview on the 2027 polls were intended to advocate for unity within both the state and the party.
   
He stressed that any progressive would look past any consideration to support the president for a second term, adding, “The people causing division, undermining the governor, and creating division across the state are the ones working against the president, and definitely not people like us.”
   
Obe further urged his supporters to remain loyal to the APC and support its candidates at all levels in the 2027 elections so as not to undermine the party’s chances.
   
However, he stressed that “when something is not right, you are asked to approach a court within 14 days of discovering that error,” adding that several political figures, including Tinubu, had at various times secured electoral victories through the courts.
   
Pledging his loyalty to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the leader of the APC in Ondo State, he said the attempts to undermine the governor would not promote the party’s interest.