From Abdullahi Abdulrahaman Chakwa, Gusau

State Minister for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, has formally received Hon. Sadiq Abubakar Ciroma, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, into the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The state APC Chairman, Hon. Tukur Danfulani, presented Ciroma to the minister on Friday, saying the move was to formally welcome him and his supporters into the APC family in Zamfara and across the country.

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While receiving the decampee, Matawalle said the APC needs people like Ciroma who approach politics with vision and sound judgement, and who can assess leadership and take clear decisions that would benefit the people of Zamfara.

“Your political calculations will salvage people of Zamfara from indirect slavery in the name of politics or marginalization of the state indigenous by the few members of a cabal of the present government, where citizens don’t have access to their resources and are being turned them into baggers in their own state,” the minister said.

The minister assured Ciroma and his supporters of equal opportunities and a conducive environment like every other APC member.

He added that the party prioritises welfare and promotes justice, unity and progress for all its members.

Earlier, Ciroma said his decision to resign as PDP Chairman in Kaura Namoda was influenced by what he described as the performance and inclusive leadership of the APC in the state.

“We are neglected by Governor Dauda Lawal, where some of his council members cannot maintain even their houses and talk less to providing succor to others. What the government prioritizes is how to collect revenue from the state electorates at all cost,” Sadiq said.

Reacting to the defection, the Chairman of Kaura Namoda Local Government Council, Manir Haidara Kaura, accused Ciroma of working against the PDP long before the recent state assembly by-election.

In a statement, he said there was evidence linking the former chairman to APC stakeholders, adding that his conduct during and after the by-election raised suspicions about his loyalty.

Haidara also alleged that Ciroma leaked confidential PDP strategies ahead of the election and openly worked against the party’s victory.