Gov. Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State on Monday received 3,400 members of the Peoples Deemocratic Party (PDP) who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bodinga Local Government Area of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a PDP candidate for the House of Representatives and a candidate for the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Alhaji Tshoho Dangaladima and Yusuf Marafa, respectively also defected to the APC.
Wamakko received the defectors during the APC gubertaorial campaign rally held in Bodinga town.
Addressing APC supporters at the rally, the governor said that the party would meet the expectations of Nigerians by addressing their yearnings and aspirations through good governance.
He said that the APC- led administration would address the issues of security, health and education, among others.
Wamakko also directed the immediate release of over 3,000 irrigation machines for distribution to farmers free of charge in the area, adding that the gesture would boost irrigation farming in the area.
He said that the state government would continue to accord priority attention to the agricultural sector in order to ensure massive food
production.
” We have all that it takes to better the lots of Nigerians, but lack of committed leaders was responsible for our set back,” Wamakko said.
The governor called on the defectors to feel at home as, ’’ there is no new members and old members in the party’’.
Wamakko tasked the APC candidates in Bodinga local government area to work jointly with the defectors for massive grassroots’ mobilisation ahead of the elections.
” You must carry along the people in ensuring total victory of our candidates seeking elective offices, ” he said.
In his remarks, Alhaji Aminu Tambuawal, Speaker of the House of Representatives and APC gubernatorial candidate in the state, tasked the members of the party to obtain the permanent voter cards.
” If you are yet to acquire the permanent voter card, better do so right away as it will ensure the victory of all our candidates,” he
said.
Tambuwal also urged them to shun all kinds violence before, during and after the elections.
Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi, the Director-General of the APC campaign organisation in the state, called for political maturity among politicians in the state, adding that political tolerance and understanding were vital in ensuring peaceful conduct of the elections.
He called on candidates of the party to embark on house-to-house campaigns for the overall success of the party in the Feb. 14 and Feb. 28 elections
I think that step is the best step to take considering the level of disloyalty, corruption and falsehood going on in the party (PDP). I’d do the same thing they did, walk away and join the winning team. GMBwins