Coalition: Mass Defection Hits PDP, APC In Borno
Mass defection has hit the Peoples Democratic Party, the All Progressives Congress, and other political parties in Borno State as members of the parties defected to the African Democratic Congress
A video trending on some social media platforms indicated that Mattawali Kashim Ibrahim Imam, a former PDP governorship candidate and APC stalwart in Borno, had a special dinner at his Maiduguri residence recently, where sources said the gathering also featured discussions with many political bigwigs in the state regarding preparations to join the ADC.
According to Vanguard, Alh. Idris Mamman Durkwa, a former Governorship aspirant and Hon. Sheriff Banki, a youth mobiliser and stakeholder advocate, among others, have since taken the lead, as they all dumped their party, PDP, with thousands of their supporters, families, and associates and pitched their tent with ADC.
The report also said Durkwa, a retired federal civil servant turned politician who stormed Maiduguri last week, was leading the massive defections in the state, as many people from different opposition parties, including the ruling APC, have started tendering their resignations to their ward chairmen.
Among them are Hon. Mohammed Umara Kumalia, former House minority leader and Governorship aspirant, and 2023 Borno Central Senatorial Candidate on the platform of the PDP.
Others are, Alh. Saleh Kida, PDP 2023 Deputy Governorship candidate, Alh. Ali Wurge, Former PDP national treasurer, Hon. Babakura Abba Yusuf, 2023 House of Representative candidate in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, MMC, Hon. Abdulrazaq Ahmed Zanna, 2023 PDP candidate for Bama, Ngala, Kala Balge federal constituency, and other House of Representative candidates.
Also on the list of early defectors are Hon. Maina Justice, who is a leader of stakeholders in Jere local government area, Hon. Fali Wubulari, former House of Assembly member (Askira Uba LGA state constituency), and many Candidates in the opposition parties for the House of Assembly in all the 27 local government areas.
Likewise, Hon. Isa Lawan Kangar, Borno North 2023 Senatorial candidate, all Ward and local Government party executives, 95% opposition Party stakeholders with their former party executives at state, local Government, and ward levels have equally jumped ship.
Speaking on the development to Vanguard correspondent in Maiduguri, Hon. Sheriff Banki, a youth mobiliser and stakeholder advocate for the movement (coaltion) said, the wave of defection into the ADC was a clear indication of a failed APC under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He also faulted PDP leadership for allowing the party, which was one of the greatest political parties in Africa, to lose its followership and acceptability due to selfish interests.
The youth leader specifically alleged that ‘the Borno PDP under the Chairmanship of Hon. Zanna Gadama has remained compromised and sold out to the powers that be, thereby forcing its teaming members to quit’.
Banki also attributed the move to what he termed ‘Economic hardship and frustration by electorate at the local, state and national level and the worsening insecurity bedevilling Nigerians’.
His words: “I am happy to inform you that the massive defection and resignation by prominent members of the opposition parties, including the ruling APC, as being witnessed recently in Borno state, is a beginning to good things happening in the political industry in the state and the country as a whole.
“Nigerians, especially the grassroots, have been promised a Renewed Hope Agenda by President Tinubu. Unfortunately, in the last two years of the APC-led government, the reverse is the case, as people no longer sleep with their two eyes closed, despite facing economic hardships due to bad policies and programmes”. Banki stated.
He therefore enjoined the good people of the state to join ADC which is the only political party that is determined to run a democracy of inclusivity and salvaging it’s people
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
