In a notable political development in Makera Constituency of Kaduna-South Local Government Area, seven hundred and two members from various political parties have officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the October 19 local government elections. This mass defection included members from the Labour Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), People’s Redemption Party (PRP), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The defectors, comprising a diverse group including a former State House of Assembly candidate for Makera Constituency, women leaders, and youth leaders from Kaduna-South Local Government, were formally welcomed into the APC fold. The reception took place at Monday Market in Kakuri Gwari and was overseen by Ibrahim Soso, the Local Government Party Chairman, along with Senator Lawal Aliyu, a former Senator representing Kaduna-North, who chaired the event.
Ibrahim Soso, addressing the new APC members, assured them of equal opportunities within the party and urged them to actively support all APC candidates in the upcoming local government council elections. He expressed confidence in the APC’s strength in Kaduna-South, boldly stating, “We’re convinced that Kaduna-South will vote for our party the APC and we’re confident that the main opposition PDP is dead here.”
Ayok Danboyi, speaking on behalf of the defectors, along with Yunana Bala, a prominent PDP chieftain, cited dissatisfaction with the leadership style of the Executive Vice Chairman of Kaduna-South Local Government, Nehemiah Baba-Karik, and Governor Uba Sani as reasons for their defection. They praised the APC leadership for focusing on uniting the people of Kaduna State and emphasized the dwindling membership of their former parties in Kaduna-South as a sign of the PDP’s impending decline.
In response, Nehemiah Baba-Karik, the Executive Vice Chairman of Kaduna-South Local Government Area, welcomed the defectors, describing their decision as wise and assuring them of their inclusion in the APC’s plans. He highlighted Governor Uba Sani’s leadership in promoting good governance and pledged that the defectors would play integral roles in the party’s future endeavors.
With the local government elections looming, the defection of these 702 members is expected to significantly bolster the APC’s electoral prospects in Kaduna-South, while potentially weakening the opposition parties ahead of the polls.
