In Sokoto State alone, the All Progressives Congress lost 1,868 of its members to the Peoples Democratic Party.
This was said in a statement made by Malam Hassan Sanyinnawal, the state PDP spokesperson, on Thursday in Sokoto.
Sanyinnawal claims that the defectors, who are businessmen from ten different villages around the state, were welcomed by Alhaji Bello Goronyo, the state PDP Chairman, in Sokoto on Wednesday.
Goronyo, who was represented by the PDP’s Sokoto Central zone chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Dangoggo, is described by him as promising the new PDP members similar treatment with all other members.
The PDP chairman vowed to support the new members while urging them to utilise their extensive backgrounds in business and politics to help the party win the next general elections in 2023.
Malam Sa’idu Umar, the state PDP’s candidate for governor, also spoke at the event. He greeted the new members and pledged to work closely with them all to advance the party.
“Their choice has shown their collective willingness to embrace the excellent leadership style of Governor Aminu Tambuwal,” Umar said in a statement congratulating the defectors.
Alhaji Lawali Lalala, who spoke on behalf of the defectors, stated that they made their choice because they were convinced of the PDP-led state government’s commitment to development.
Lalala pledged their utmost allegiance and support to the PDP and said that they would cooperate with the leadership of the party to ensure its victory in the next general elections.