The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Zamfara, Ahmad Hashim and the deputy governorship candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Abubakar Gandi, have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This is contained in a statement issued Tuesday by APC spokesman in Gusau, Yusuf Idris.

“The opposition political parties, including the ADC, YPP, AAC, and NNPP, have received a serious blow in Zamfara following the defection of their top candidates in the upcoming general elections to the ruling APC,” said the statement. “The ADC governorship candidate, Dr Ahmad Hashim, led three senatorial candidates, five House of Reps candidates and 11 state House of Assembly candidates to the Gusau Government House, where they announced their defection to the APC.”

The APC added that during the event, the YPP deputy governorship candidate, Abubakar Gandi, Zamfara West senatorial candidate and Talata Mafara council chairman and secretary of the party also defected to the ruling party.

According to the statement, the party’s national and state parliament candidates, state deputy chairman, secretary of the party, Jamilu Dinawa Isah Saminu, and the party’s organising secretary also joined APC.

“The progressive party also received the African Action Congress (AAC) senatorial candidate of Zamfara West, Honourable Bello Danda and the party’s Chairman and Secretary of Talata Mafara council area, Zulkifilu Ma’azu and Huzaifa Zubairu, respectively,” the statement noted. “The House of Representatives candidate of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) for Maru/Bungudu Federal Constituency, Yunusa Yalbai, also announced his defection to the APC winning train.”

The party added, “In their separate remarks, the defectors said they were satisfied with the APC- led administration in the state under Governor Bello Matawalle, which motivated them to join the party.”

The defectors commended the state government’s efforts, especially in its fight against insecurity.

Chairman of the state APC defectors reception committee, Tijjani Yahaya-Kaura, stated that all the defectors would be carried along like any other party member.

(NAN)