At least 15 former officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara State have officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging full loyalty to the party’s leadership in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
Among the defectors are notable PDP figures including former Youth Leader, Sahad Dabo; former Treasurer, Nasiru Anka; former Organising Secretaries, Janaidu Magaji Kiyawa and Musa Halilu Faru; former Zonal Organising Secretary, Lawali Aliyu; and ex-officio members Hajiya Rabi Bakura and Hajiya Amina Duniya.
Others who joined the APC include Bashar Mohammed Dogon Kade, a former PDP aspirant for Kaura Namoda South constituency, and Rilwanu Bello, a former councillorship aspirant.
Explaining his decision to leave the PDP, Isiyaka M. Dabo stated that the opposition party “only favours the rich,” adding that he was inspired by the leadership style of Senator Abdulaziz Yari and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.
“I am inspired by Senator Yari and Matawalle’s leadership to join the winning party,” Dabo declared.
Speaking during the event, Amina Duniya, who revealed she had been a PDP member for 25 years, urged APC leaders to maintain fairness and inclusivity, pledging to mobilize more women and youth into the party.
The defectors were received in Abuja on Thursday by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, alongside Zamfara APC Chairman, Hon. Tukur Umar Danfulani, Senator Tijjani Yahaya, and Hon. Lawal M. Liman.
Welcoming the new members, Matawalle described their decision as “bold and strategic,” emphasizing that the APC remains the most popular and organized party in Zamfara and across the country.
“APC will continue to be more united and strong with our current strategies and welfare packages being delivered to the people of the state,” Matawalle said.
On his part, APC State Chairman, Tukur Umar Danfulani, assured the defectors of full integration into the party’s structure, dismissing rumours of internal division.
“With our recent victory in the state by-election and the calibre of people joining us, it is clear that APC will reclaim Zamfara in 2027,” he stated confidently.
