The African Democratic Congress (ADC) lost several House of Assembly candidates from Zamfara, Plateau, Taraba and Jigawa after they formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) and pledged to back President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term.
The group paid a courtesy visit, today, to APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Their defection, the APC said in a press statement signed by Abimbola Tooki, Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy to the national chairman, reflects confidence in President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Dr. Princess Aslam Aliyu Gambiyar of Zamfara, who led the delegation, told the party leadership the defectors were “convinced, beyond reasonable doubt,” that Tinubu is best placed to advance the country’s progress. She said that belief motivated their decision to leave the ADC and join forces with the APC to secure a second term for the president in the 2027 elections.
Professor Yilwatda welcomed the newcomers, praising them for prioritizing national interest over personal political ambitions and formally receiving them into the APC fold.
Professor Yilwatda said: “We have young people who are joining us in the progressive fold. I am happy that you resigned and presented your resignation letters to your wards. The job now is to go back to your wards and start work.”
He described their decision to relinquish their individual political ambitions in order to support what they consider to be the larger national interest as noteworthy, assuring them that the APC would provide a platform for them to contribute meaningfully to the party and the country.
The National Chairman also used the occasion to address what he described as some of the narratives being promoted by opposition politicians concerning the Federal Government's commitment to the development of Northern Nigeria.
According to him, the claim that President Tinubu is indifferent to the North is not supported by the scale of ongoing infrastructure projects across the region. He cited major road projects, including the Abuja–Kano–Maiduguri corridor, which is about 1000 kilometres, the coastal road, Jos–Akwanga, Kwara–Niger, Sokoto–Kebbi, Laila–Sokoto and Kano–Daura roads, among others.
Professor Yilwatda questioned the argument for reversing some of the administration's economic reforms, particularly the return of fuel subsidy, noting that such a policy reversal could have implications for ongoing infrastructure and development programmes.
He asked whether returning to the previous subsidy regime would mean stopping major projects, including road construction, gas-related investments and programmes such as the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), stressing that the government must remain focused on policies that address poverty and create sustainable economic opportunities.
The APC National Chairman further argued that the economic challenges facing the country should be addressed through reforms and development rather than a return to policies that, in his view, contributed to fiscal pressures on governments. He noted that the ability of state governments to meet their salary obligations had been a major challenge before the current reforms, particularly in the North.
Professor Yilwatda also emphasised the inclusive character of the APC and the Federal Government, particularly in relation to national integration and political participation. He cited the presence of Nigerians from different parts of the country serving as commissioners, legislators and local government chairmen in Lagos State as an example of political inclusion.
He said the administration of President Tinubu had demonstrated an approach that accommodates Nigerians across regional and religious lines, describing the President as a technocrat who comes from a religiously tolerant family and has continued to provide opportunities for Nigerians irrespective of their backgrounds.
Addressing the defectors, the National Chairman assured them that they were joining a large political family where their contributions would be recognised. He said their decision to join the APC would be communicated to President Tinubu and indicated that he would also recommend them to the governors in their respective states for appropriate roles in the ongoing mobilisation and grassroots activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
He urged the new members to return to their wards and communities and immediately commence grassroots mobilisation, stressing that joining the APC was not merely about changing political platforms but about becoming active participants in building the party and supporting its programmes.
The development further underscores the growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, as politicians and aspirants reassess their platforms and alliances in preparation for the next electoral cycle, the press statement concludes.
0 comments:
Post a Comment