By Akinwale Kasali
Mass Defection Rocks Sokoto State PDP
In a surprising move, Stella Charles Archibong, Deputy Governorship Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has dumped the Party with less two months to the 2027 Elections. She has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
While announcing her decision in a statement in Calabar, the State Capital,
she declared her support for Governor Bassey Otu’s second term ambition under the Back to South Movement.
Archibong stated that her decision to jump ship was because her responsibility to the State outweighed her personal political ambition.
She added that she took the decision after making consultations with elders, family members, the Christian community and political stakeholders across the state.
“My responsibility to Cross River State is bigger than my individual ambition,” she said.
She however thanked the NDC state Chairman, Goddy Akpama, the Party’s Governorship Candidate, John Odey, and its National Leadership for giving her the opportunity to contest on the Party’s platform.
Archibong further apologised to supporters who might be disappointed by her withdrawal, while appreciating them for their confidence and support.
Reacting to his Deputy’s exit from the Party, NDC Governorship Candidate, Odey described the development as surprising but appealed to Party members and supporters to remain calm.
In a statement, he said the situation required maturity, mutual respect and responsible leadership.
“This development has come as a surprise. I believe that moments such as this call for calm, maturity, mutual respect, and responsible leadership,” Odey stated.
Odey said he held Archibong in high regard and respected her contributions and commitment to the development of Cross River State, adding that consultations were ongoing with Party leaders, stakeholders and other concerned individuals to understand the circumstances surrounding her decision and determine the Party’s next steps.
Odey reaffirmed his commitment to building a prosperous, inclusive and economically productive State.
In another development,
the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has also suffered a heavy blow in Sokoto State, following the defection of six local Government Chairmen and three members of its State Executive Committee to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Receiving the
defectors into the ruling Party in the State by Faruku Labbo, Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on Political Matters, Labbo said it was a welcome development, coming at a time politicking and Campaign has taken center stage.
Their defection was announced in a statement issued on by Abubakar Bawa, Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Sokoto.
Shehu Abdullahi Mai Rago who spoke on behalf of the defectors said they dumped the PDP because of Governor Aliyu’s treatment of opposition members.
Rago stressed that the Governor had neither intimidated nor persecuted them despite their previous membership of the opposition party.
“The Governor has never witch-hunted or intimidated any of us despite our previous political affiliation with the opposition Party,” Rago said.
Speaking further, Rago also cited the state Government’s developmental projects as another reason for their decision to join the APC.
Those listed among the defectors include Aliyu Mai Shinkafa, a PDP executive member in Binji Local Government Area; Mohammed Yusuf, chairman in Kware; Altine Gudu, chairman in Gudu; Manir Tureta, chairman in Tureta; and Abubakar Ango Bodinga, chairman in Bodinga.
Others are Mu’awiyya Noma, chairman in Tangaza; Muntari Dan Dare, chairman in Silame; Bello Garba Iya, secretary in Sabon Birni; and Almustafa S. Tudu, Secretary in Tambuwal.
The list also includes Balkisu Yusuf, PDP youth leader in Sokoto North; Naja’atu Buhari, the party’s state youth leader; Bilkisu Sidi, women leader in Waziri B Ward; and Sadiya Umar, Zawarawa women leader.
It 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.
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