PDP’s Woes Compounded as Supporters Cross to APC

The woes of the tottering Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, may have been compounded as a sizeable number of its supporters from the 19 northern states, have decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

The 2027 presidential aspiration of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar may have also taken a serious hit by the defection.

National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, received the defectors from the 19 northern states at an event in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The defectors, comprising majorly of members from the 2023 Coalition of Atiku Support Groups, announced their defection from the People’s Democratic Party to the APC on Friday, pledging to support President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

The group, with representatives from each of the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory cited discussions with Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau as a key factor for their decision to defect.

“Our groups comprise various strata of society—women, youths, students, traders, academics, and farmers—representing diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds,” said the coalition’s coordinator, Mallam Abubakar Malami.

“In the 2023 general election build-up” he continued, “we mobilised our members across the nooks and crannies of the 19 northern states and the FCT to campaign for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. To the glory of God, Atiku and his team acknowledged and appreciated our support. We played a key role in the votes he secured in the last election.

“We supported Atiku in our quest to address the challenges in our region, particularly terrorism and banditry, which crippled economic activities. Farming, the mainstay of our people, became impossible as farmlands turned into kidnappers’ dens.”

But now, the music has changed. According to Malami, “22 months into President Bola Tinubu’s tenure, a fresh air of peace and hope permeates the 19 northern states. The crashing prices of food items cannot be divorced from the relative peace enjoyed in our region.”

He praised Tinubu for establishing the North West Development Commission, sequel to a bill sponsored by Senator Barau, calling it a “game changer.”

“In 2027, we will work for the continuation of President Tinubu’s administration,” Malami pledged. “Our sincere appreciation goes to His Excellency, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau, for his efforts in addressing the challenges in our region. He is the Sardauna Arewa of our time.”

Senator Jibrin Barau, in his remarks, described the defection of Atiku’s northern supporters as a “big catch” for the APC.

“It’s a big catch,” he declared. “We are making a big catch today at our party. Mr. President is a very good man. He’s doing his best to reposition Nigeria into a land of prosperity.

“It is good that you understand this and have come to acknowledge what Mr. President is doing.”

Assuring the defectors of equal opportunities within the party, Baru also eulogised saying, “He is a man at home in all parts of the country, generous, and his hospitality is unprecedented. He has everything you can think of in a good leader.”

In his address, APC Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, commended the defectors for their courage, stating, “You are welcome to our party. After fasting, all your members wi:ll gather in Abuja under the leadership of Senator Barau, where we will invite Mr. President and the Vice President, alongside the Senate President and Speaker, to formally receive you.”

The defection, Ganduje said, sounded the death knell on the PDP adding, “This will register the death, the collapse, the disappearance of the PDP in Nigeria, not just in the North.”

Referring to the Anambra governorship election, Ganduje claimed, “PDP extended its screening deadline because nobody showed up. The extension expired, and still, nobody came forward. The party is crumbling. The party is dying at a fantastic rate.”