Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, has officially announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Governor also announced that he is now the leader of the ruling party in the state.
Matawalle made the revelation on Tuesday during a grand rally at the Trade Fair Complex in Gusau.
Speaking at the rally, Matawalle said he had been nursing the idea of leaving the PDP for several reasons.
He said, “As from today, I have dumped the Peoples Democratic Party and join the All Progressive Congress.
“I am now the leader of APC in Zamfara State and I am ready to work with each and everyone wishing to contribute to the rapid development of this state.”
The National Caretaker Committee Chairman of APC, Mai Mala Buni said based on the provision of the APC, Matawalle was now the leader of APC in the state.
Buni said, “As from today, Governor Bello Matawalle is the leader of the APC in Zamfara State. I also want to bring to your notice that as from today, the APC caretaker committees of Zamfara state, from the ward to the state level, have been dissolved.”
Other personalities who attended the rally include the Secretary to Federal Government, Boss Mustafa, Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media, Garba Shehu; Governors Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, Simon Lalong of Plateau State, Aminu Bello Masari of Katina State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Badaru Abubakar of Jugawa State, Babagana Zulum of Yobe State, Nasiru El Rufai, of Kaduna State, Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Abubakar Bello of Niger State and former Governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Shariff.
Meanwhile, all the 24 members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, all the three senators and six out of the seven members of the Federal House of Representatives have also defected to APC.
Reacting to their defections, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Uche Secondus, said the All Progressives Congress is recruiting Governors in order to rig the 2023 General Elections.
The PDP threatened to explore all options to hold onto the mandate given to it by the Supreme Court as Secondus referred to Matawalle as a man “who has probably lost memory of how he became governor.”
The President Muhammadu Buhari, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, congratulated Matawalle on his defection saying the ruling party “is becoming more popular because of its impressive performance record and commitment to good governance.”
The Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, who represented the president, quoted Buhari as saying, “I’m proud of your timely and wise decision to join the governing party and our doors are wide open to other politicians who believe in our vision to rebuild Nigeria.”
