Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle welcomes 15 Zamfara PDP officials to APC, calling their defection bold and timely ahead of 2027 elections.
Zamfara PDP members defect to APC — The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has received fifteen senior members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Zamfara State who have officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
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In a statement on Thursday, the Zamfara APC Publicity Secretary, Malam Yusuf Idris Gusau, confirmed that the defectors were presented to the Minister in Abuja by the State APC Chairman, Alhaji Tukur Umar Danfulani, Senator Tijjani Yahaya Kaura, and former APC Chairman, Lawal M. Liman.
Matawalle welcomed the new members warmly, assuring them of equal treatment and opportunities within the ruling party. He described their defection as both bold and timely, noting the rising popularity of the APC across Zamfara and Nigeria.
The Minister praised the state party leadership for its grassroots mobilisation efforts, saying these had consolidated the APC’s position as Zamfara’s most dominant political force.
“The APC remains united and focused on delivering people-oriented programmes. Your decision to join us shows confidence in our leadership and in the direction we are taking,” Matawalle said.
Presenting the defectors, Hon. Tukur Umar Danfulani, the Zamfara APC Chairman, said the new entrants include top PDP state and zonal executives who joined ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Among them are:
- Isiyaka M. Dabo, PDP Youth Leader;
- Nasiru Mohammed Anka, Zonal Treasurer, Zamfara West;
- Junaidu Magaji Kiyawa, Organising Secretary, Zamfara North;
- Hon. Musa Halilu Faru, Assistant Organising Secretary, Zamfara West;
- Lawali Aliyu Shinkafi, PDP Zonal Secretary, Zamfara North;
- Hajiya Rabi Bakura, Hajiya Amina Duniya, Bashar Mohammed Dogon Kade, and
- Rilwanu Bello, among others.
Receiving the defectors on behalf of former governor Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, Senator Tijjani Yahaya Kaura announced that a grand reception ceremony will soon be held in their honour. He said their arrival would further bolster the APC’s strength and electoral machinery in Zamfara State.
Danfulani dismissed rumours of internal crises within the party, asserting that the APC remains cohesive and resilient.
“With our recent by-election victory and the calibre of people joining our fold, it’s clear that APC will reclaim Zamfara in 2027,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Isiyaka M. Dabo said they left the PDP because it “favours only the rich” and fails to recognise grassroots contributors. He credited Senator Yari and Matawalle’s leadership for inspiring their move.
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Hajiya Amina Duniya, who had been a PDP member for over 25 years, pledged to mobilise more supporters, urging APC leaders to maintain fairness and inclusivity.
