After several weeks of speculation, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State on Tuesday defected from the ruling
All Progressive Congress (APC) to his former party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Tambuwal’s declaration followed solidarity rallies organised by the governor’s supporters across the 23 local government areas of the state.
Tambuwal told his supporters at the rally that the defection came after due consultations with the people and response to calls by major stakeholders in
the state.
According to Tambuwal,
“This is not a decision that I have made lightly, but after extensive consultations with all the important stakeholders that we have
come to the decision to pitch our political tent elsewhere. However, the decision of our people and associates had become our total priority; it is the reason for the leadership we are yearning for. As such we have left the APC for the PDP in order to ensure that the masses’ needs in the areas of health, security, among others are fully prioritised.”
Tambuwal had in 2014 on the eve of general elections while calling the shots as Speaker of the House of Representatives left the PDP for the APC, a coalition of parties which wrested power from President Goodluck Jonathan.
Read: Kwara PDP members defect to APC, describe Saraki as “anathema’’
This latest defection comes after last week’s defection wave of mostly APC lawmakers to the PDP.
Other major political actors who have decamped include; Kwara Gov. Ahmed Abdulfatah, the Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Alhaji Ahmed Ibeto, and Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom as well as Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
The wave of defections have caused panic in the camp of the ruling APC although they vehemently deny that they are bothered.
After running to and fro the country for weeks to attend stakeholder meetings to ensure party members do not defect, newly appointed chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomole said the party was not bothered by the defections and he was not going to lose sleep over the matter.
President Buhari also said he wished the defectors well.