PDP Suffers Fresh Blow in Sokoto as Three State Executives, Six LG Chairmen Defect to APC

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suffered another setback in Sokoto State after three members of its State Executive Committee and six local government chairmen defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defectors were formally received into the APC by the Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on Political Matters, Faruku Labbo.

Their defection was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director-General of Media and Publicity, Government House, Sokoto, Abubakar Bawa.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Shehu Abdullahi Mai Rago said their decision to leave the PDP was influenced by Governor Aliyu’s approach to opposition members.

He claimed the governor had neither intimidated nor witch-hunted them despite their previous membership of the opposition party. Mai Rago also cited government projects across the state as another reason for their decision to join the ruling party.

Those listed among the defectors include Aliyu Mai Shinkafa, a PDP executive member in Binji Local Government Area; Mohammed Yusuf, PDP chairman in Kware; Altine Gudu, PDP chairman in Gudu; Manir Tureta, PDP chairman in Tureta; and Abubakar Ango Bodinga, PDP chairman in Bodinga.

Others are Mu’awiyya Noma, PDP chairman in Tangaza; Muntari Dan Dare, PDP chairman in Silame; Bello Garba Iya, PDP secretary in Sabon Birni; and Almustafa S. Tudu, PDP secretary in Tambuwal Local Government Area.

The list also includes Balkisu Yusuf, PDP youth leader in Sokoto North; Naja’atu Buhari, the party’s state youth leader; Bilkisu Sidi, PDP women leader in Waziri B Ward; and Sadiya Umar, PDP Zawarawa women leader.

The statement further disclosed that members of the Amalgamated Association of ADC Traders, Youths and Students Stakeholders, alongside executives of the ADC Tudun Wada Ward, had also defected to the APC.

The latest development adds to the political realignments in Sokoto State as parties continue to strengthen their structures ahead of future electoral contests.