Shekarau, Gwarzo, Hundreds Dump PDP For APC

By Ibrahim Muhammad Kano Former Kano State Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, alongside PDP Northwest Chairman Senator Bello Hay...

By Ibrahim Muhammad Kano

Former Kano State Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, alongside PDP Northwest Chairman Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo and hundreds of their supporters, have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“We weighed several options after realizing that the PDP has permanently collapsed as a political party. The decision to join the APC was the fifth option, which we all agreed to adopt,” the former PDP leaders said.

While announcing the move, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau said the decision to join the APC had the overwhelming support of his Shura Council, Elders Committee, Board members, and all key stakeholders in his political movement.

“We prayed fervently, deliberated on our next steps, made extensive consultations, and spoke to everyone. We have finally accepted and agreed to defect to the APC, which today is the best party that cares for Nigerians,” Shekarau stated.

He explained that before leaving the PDP, they carefully assessed all other political parties. He dismissed the ADC, noting that the party, which emerged just two months ago, cannot be trusted for several reasons.

“We cannot rely on the ADC — a party filled with people pursuing personal interests, a party struggling to find its footing, a party facing serious legal challenges, and a party whose leaders are locked in a struggle for positions,” he said.

On his part, Senator Bello Hayatu noted that the PDP’s absence from the recent bye-elections in Ekiti and Ondo States clearly showed the party had fallen into a deep crisis.

“The fact that the PDP could not even make the INEC list and could not participate in the bye-elections shows that remaining in it is a risk. So we decided that defection is the best option,” he said.

“After weighing all the political parties in Nigeria, we finally settled on the APC. Together with Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau and all others involved, we are taking this final decision,” he added.