Former governorship candidates of the People’s Redemption Party in the 2023 general elections have announced their decision to defect to the Social Democratic Party.

Those who defected are  Emiyare Etete (Rivers), Elder Chris Agu (Enugu), Anthony Umeh (Anambra), Abdulkareem Mustapha (Kwara), Ahmed Kaugama (Jigawa), Ahmed Kaugama (Jigawa), Adam Idris, PRP House of Representatives candidate for Kaduna North federal constituency, (Kaduna).

The defectors were received by SDP national chairman, Shehu Gabam, at the party national secretariat in Abuja.

Mr Gabam, who welcomed the defectors, assured them of total acceptance by the party, saying SDP needs people of like minds to rescue the country.

Mr Gabam described SDP as a party ready to take over in 2027.

He said while the party’s National Working Committee was open to receiving genuine people, it also had the antidote to deal with any member who wanted to destabilise the party.

“We are not afraid of crisis. We have gone through it before up to the Supreme Court. So, we have a system of dealing with notorious elements and agents of sabotage,’’ he said.

The former PRP Gubernatorial Candidates Forum chairman, Makarfi Hayatuddeen, said they joined SDP to rescue Nigerians.

“We did not leave the PRP because we were hungry. We believe that the SDP is a party that will lead Nigeria to where we have always aspired to see her among the committee of nations that will be held in high esteem.

“This is a strategic realignment of progressive forces. We come as comrades-in-arms, united by the urgency to rebuild our nation,’’ Mr Hayatuddeen said.

He called on Nigerian youths and women to join the SDP by registering with the party.

Party leaders at the occasion include the SDP national secretary, Olu Agunloye, and other NWC members.

(NAN)