Fifteen ward chairmen of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in Maiduguri metropolitan council of Borno state on the eve of the postponed elections defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The defectors, who allegedly created confusion when they stormed Government House Maiduguri to declare their support for the ruling party, decided to shift loyalty hours before the two major contenders for the National Assembly elections were to go to the polls.
Maiduguri metropolitan council, apart from being is one of the largest in Borno state, is the state capital, and also a federal constituency, and has the largest voting centre within Borno Central senatorial district.
Borno state governor Kashim Shettima, who is the APC candidate for Borno Central, is in the race against a former occupant of the seat, Senator Muhammed Abba Aji, the candidate of the PDP.
The 15 defecting ward chairmen said they decided to leave the PDP because the party has not offered them any convincing argument that it would do better than what the ruling APC had done for the state in the past three years and nine months.
Kabiru Babagana, the chairman of Bolori II ward, who spokesman on behalf of the other ward chairmen, said they also opted out of the PDP because the leadership of the main opposition has always failed them during election.
“Besides, the ruling APC has done so much for Borno state since 2015. The APC, which controls the federal government, has not only helped us to decimate Boko Haram, but also helped to rebuild our schools, hospitals and markets.
“After consultations with our supporters in the 15 wards, we concluded that posterity will not judge us kindly if we continue to oppose a government that has done so much for us and brought succor to our people.”
Also, Mukhtar Sheriff, the chairman Mafoni ward, said they left the party because the government in Borno state has left them with no option but to think APC because of the achievements of Governor Kashim Shettima, who despite the state of insecurity has done his best to keep the state running.
“It is for that reason that we decided to leave the PDP with its baggage of controversies to join the ruling APC and support its candidates from the president down to House of Assembly here in Maiduguri.”
The defectors were received by the current member of the federal House of Representatives, Kadiri Rahis, who is also candidate in Saturday’s election.
Mr Rahis said the governor appreciated their decision to join the party even as he urged them to come out en mass to vote for the party in this Saturday and in subsequent elections.
