A member of the Zamfara Assembly, representing Maradun II Constituency, Maharazu Salisu, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Salisu announced his defection at the APC state party office in Gusau on Tuesday.
The lawmaker defected with all the PDP ward executives across the five wards of his constituency, along with more than 1,000 members.
Salisu attributed his decision to leave the PDP to the lack of fairness and justice by the party’s leadership.
“PDP’s injustice and lack of fairness among the leaders of the party are among the causes that forced me and my constituents to defect from PDP to APC,” he said.
Salisu said in spite of the total support given to the PDP-led government in the state during the 2023 general elections by the electorate of Maradun II, the constituency was neglected in terms of appointments into the government.
The lawmaker lamented that no position or appointment was allocated to his constituency.
“I’m the only one left with PDP supporters in the area to handle their demands at all times, and no dividends of democracy accrued to my people from the PDP-led government in the state.
“In line with this, I, Maharazu Salisu Faru, and all PDP officials from the constituency of Maradun II, hereby announce my defection and all the PDP officials from the constituency, as well as over 1,000 constituents, to the APC for the progress of my people.
“Notable figures among the defectors are party officials, including party Chairmen of the five wards.
“They include the chairman of Magami ward, Ahmad Lawal, Tsibiri ward, Lawal Tsibiri, Gidangoga ward, Sanusi Ahmad and Shehu DanAbu, Maya ward,” he said.
A senior PDP chieftain from the constituency, Salis Dodo, also joined the APC during the event, which attracted the APC leaders across the state.
Receiving the defectors, the APC State Chairman, Alhaji Tukur Danfulani, assured them of full recognition into the party at all levels.
Danfulani promised to ensure that the defectors were given equal treatment regardless of the time they had joined the party.
He said more members of the PDP and other political parties would soon join the APC in the state before the end of the year, adding, “This is just the beginning, more and more are coming.”
He directed all APC officials from the polling units to the state to give the defectors equal opportunity in the party affairs.
Also speaking at the event, the former APC State Chairman, Lawali Liman, commended the party leaders in the state for their exemplary leadership.
Liman specifically applauded Sen. Abdulaziz Yari (APC Zamfara West) and Minister of State for Defence, and former Governor, Dr Bello Matawalle, for sustaining their support to the party in the state.
Welcoming the defectors, Liman urged them to remain loyal members of the party in all circumstances and to do everything possible in projecting the image of the party.
