PDP members defect to APC enmasse in Niger

Hundreds of People Democratic party (PDP) members from Guni ward in Munya local government area of Niger State on Saturday defied the security challenges bedeviling the area as they troop out in their hundreds to be received into the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state.

The over 200 defectors which includes Munya local government PDP Chairman, popularly refers to as Osama, ward party executives from Gunii were led by the former member of the House of Representatives for Munya/Shiroro/Rafi federal constituency Hon. Abdullahi Mohammed Ricco.

Also among the defectors was the former member of the state House of Assembly, Hon John Bahago and his supporters.
The defectors were all received by the state commissioner for land and survey, Barrister Maurice Bello Magaji, accompanied by some of the local government party Chieftains.

The latest mass defection of the PDP in the state into the APC is coming barely three weeks after about 150 members of the party, including women and youths dumped the main opposition party and switched their allegiance to the ruling party in Gulu Vatsa community in Lapai local government area of the state.

However while receiving the defectors on Saturday at Guni, the commissioner, Barrister Maurice Magaji commended them for taken what he called “wise decision” to join the ruling party in the state, assuring them that the APC administration under the leadership of governor Umaru Mohammed Bago is poised to artualize the “New Niger agenda”

He told the decampees that in the last one year in the office, the governor has demonstrated capacity and genuine leadership with his infrastructure development and agriculture revolution, stressing that “with over 500 roads both federal, state and local under construction, the governor is on verge rewriting the wrongs of many years.

“That is why we are calling on others to come and join hands together to build a better Niger. There is nothing wrong if all the opposition parties in the state decide to adopt the governor as the sole candidate for 2027 election, at least to finish the good work he has started”.

He then promised to carry them along in all the policies and programmes of the government even as he solicit for their loyalty to the party and indeed the Government.

Earlier the spokesperson for the defectors and former member House of Representatives, Hon. Abdullahi Mohammed Ricco said the development strides of the governor and the that of Hon Commissioner made them join the APC with their supporters.

He stated further they are convinced that the governor has a genuine intention towards transforming the state with his new Niger agenda, adding “what he needs is the support and prayers of all sons and daughters of the state”.