Sokoto State House of Assembly speaker Aminu Achida and three gubernatorial aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, the PDP vice-presidential candidate, received the quartet on Sunday in Sokoto.

The gubernatorial aspirants who defected to the PDP are former sports minister Yusuf Suleiman, Abubakar Gumbi and serving federal legislator in the House of Representatives Balarabe Salame. Other defectors include Yusuf Kurdula, Bello Gada, Murtala Maigona and Jibril Gada.

Receiving them, Mr Okowa said the PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar had the quality and knowledge to solve Nigeria’s numerous challenges.

“Our party is working judiciously to salvage the country from its current challenges of insecurity and other numerous challenges,” stated the Delta governor. “Atiku is the man to take Nigeria out of its present stage, as such our country of tomorrow needs every one in the struggle by PDP.”

Governor Aminu Tambuwal praised the politicians for dumping APC for PDP.

“Today, you are all returning home. I am happy that all of you are satisfied and convinced with the PDP leadership in Sokoto and Nigeria,” said Mr Tambuwal.

The Sokoto governor described Messrs Abubakar and Okowa as true nationalists with passion for Nigeria’s prosperity and stressed that their combination would yield the right leadership.

PDP national chairman Iyorchia Ayu said the party was witnessing a favourable signal ahead of its victory in the 2023 general elections.

Mr Ayu, represented by Umar Damagum, said, “This development is an indication that we are true democrats with vision. Our unity, resilience and strength demonstrate the party’s capacity to deliver to Nigerians what their yearnings are.”

(NAN)