National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda and Kebbi State Governor Mai Mala Buni yesterday joined Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi to welcome over 66,400 people from various political parties who formally defected to the APC.
The new members came from all 27 local government areas of the state.
The defectors, primarily from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC), were received at a large gathering at the Dutse Stadium.
The event was organised following a wave of defections from opposition parties in the state, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Yobe State governor, stated that his administration would continue working hard to make Nigeria a peaceful and progressive nation, in accordance with the founding philosophy of the APC.
He assured the people of Jigawa of his government’s determination to continue executing projects, programmes and policies that would reposition and promote the social and economic well-being of the state and Nigeria at large.
Professor Nentawe thanked Governor Namadi for promoting the party’s philosophy, which he said attracted the defectors.
He spoke after receiving a compiled document containing the list and political wards of the new members handed over to him by Governor Malam Umar Namadi.
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Political Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Masari, said the large gathering and the huge number of defectors symbolised the purposeful, impactful leadership and all-inclusive governance of Governor Malam Umar Namadi.
Jigawa State APC chairman, Hon. Aminu Sani Gumel, assured the defectors that they would be given equal opportunities like every good member of the party.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, a member representing the Gwaram federal constituency on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Hon. Galambi, explained that they decided to join the APC because of Governor Namadi’s all-inclusive, focused, and purposeful leadership, which is transforming the lives of the people of Jigawa.
“We joined the APC to contribute our quota to building a prosperous and great Jigawa under the realistic 12-point agenda and sincere commitment of Governor Malam Umar Namadi. The mission is on the right course, and we did not want to be left behind,” Hon. Galambi declared.
