Ojo Sola Olusegun
The spate of political defections continued in Kaduna yesterday when 1,327 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna North local government defected to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The defectors, who said they decided to join the PDP “because of the peaceful coexistence and development witnessed in the state since the coming of Governor Mukhtar Yero,” included Dr Abdulrahman Usman from Badarawa/Malali ward, Alhaji Sadiq Baraden Unguwar Liman of Liman ward and Hajiya Maryam Ahmadu Doka of Unguwar Shanu/Abakpa ward.
They also lamented the infighting and leadership tussle going on in their former party (APC), noting that it was too early for the party to face such crises.
Former governorship candidate of the state, Sen. Mukhtar Aruwa, welcomed the defectors to the party, adding that PDP is quite strong in the state and poise to sweep the polls at all levels come 2015. The ex-legislator tasked intending PDP aspirants for the coming election to seek nomination from the people at the grassroots level, who would vote for them, as no party leader would nominate them.
Addressing newsmen in Kaduna, the Commissioner for Local Government, who was also a two-term ex-chairman of Kaduna North local government, Alhaji Shehu Ahmed Giant, said the defectors were from 12 wards of Kaduna North.
He added that the ruling party was happy to welcome them into their midst, believing that they would assist in moving the party to greater height in the state, “with these defectors, it is an indication that PDP is still stronger in the state.”
Giant appealed to the people to continue exercising patience with the Yero administration so that they would enjoy democracy dividends better with total peace and unity.
The PDP chairman in Kaduna North LGA, Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu Babawo, alleged that the opposition that were elected into various offices such as Senate, House of Representatives and even the House Assembly in the 2011 general elections had performed below expectation.
