A member of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, representing Maradun II Constituency, Maharazu Salisu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mr Salisu announced his defection at the APC state party office in Gusau on Tuesday.
The lawmaker defected with all the PDP ward executives across the five wards of his constituency, along with more than 1,000 members.
Mr Salisu attributed his decision to leave the PDP to a lack of fairness and justice by the party’s leadership.
“PDP’s injustice and lack of fairness among the leaders of the party are among the causes that forced me and my constituents to defect from PDP to APC,” he said.
Mr Salisu said that despite the total support given to the PDP-led government in the state during the 2023 general elections by the electorate of Maradun II, the constituency was neglected in terms of appointments into the government.
The lawmaker lamented that no position or appointment was allocated to his constituency.
“I’m the only one left with PDP supporters in the area to handle their demands at all times, and no dividends of democracy accrued to my people from the PDP-led government in the state.
“In line with this, I, Maharazu Salisu Faru, and all PDP officials from the constituency of Maradun II, hereby announce my defection and all the PDP officials from the constituency, as well as over 1,000 constituents, to the APC for the progress of my people.
“Notable figures among the defectors are party officials, including party chairmen of the five wards. They include the chairman of Magami ward, Ahmad Lawal, Tsibiri ward, Lawal Tsibiri; Gidangoga ward, Sanusi Ahmad; and Shehu DanAbu, Maya ward,” he said.
A senior PDP chieftain from the constituency, Salis Dodo, also joined the APC during the event, which attracted the APC leaders across the state.
Upon receiving the defectors, the APC state chairman, Tukur Danfulani, assured them of full recognition at all levels of the party.
Mr Danfulani promised to ensure that the defectors were given equal treatment regardless of when they joined the party.
He said more members of the PDP and other political parties would soon join the APC before the end of the year, adding, “This is just the beginning; more and more are coming.”
(NAN)