Over 200 members of the People Democratic Party (PDP) from Guni ward in Munya local government area of Niger State defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Saturday.
Despite the security challenges in the area, a significant number of people came out to be officially received into the APC by the state commissioner for Land and Survey, Maurice Bello Magaji, along with several local government party chieftains.
The defectors included prominent figures such as the Munya LG PDP Chairman, popularly known as Osama, and ward party executives from Guni.
They were led by Abdullahi Mohammed Ricco, a former member of the House of Representatives for the Munya/Shiroro/Rafi federal constituency.
Also among the defectors was John Bahago, a former member of the state House of Assembly, along with his supporters.
This mass defection from the PDP to the APC comes just three weeks after approximately 150 members, including women and youths, left the main opposition party and pledged their allegiance to the ruling party in the Gulu Vatsa community in Lapai local government area of the state.
Maurice Magaji, the Commissioner for Land and Survey, welcomed the defectors and praised their decision.
He assured them that the APC administration, under the leadership of Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago, is dedicated to realizing the “New Niger agenda.”
Magaji also promised to include the new members in all government policies and programs while seeking their loyalty to both the party and the government.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Abdullahi Mohammed Ricco explained that their decision to switch parties was based on their confidence in Governor Bago’s genuine intentions to transform the state with his new Niger agenda.
He emphasized the need for support and prayers from all residents to help achieve the governor’s vision for the state.