After months of speculation, former Governor of Kano, Mal. Ibrahim Shekarau and former Senator representing Kano North Senatorial district formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), boosting the strength of the ruling party in the state.
Shekarau, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, had earlier dumped the opposition party citing overwhelming leadership crisis as a compelling reason to quit.
Shekarau’s eventual defection to APC came after consistent lobbying by National Chairman of the ruling party, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who visited his private residence in Kano.
The ex- Minister of Education, who had equally visited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu few weeks ago pledged to disclose the next line of action after wide consultation.
Addressing hundreds of supporters at his residence on Sunday, Shekarau revealed that APC remains the only reliable and alternative platform to drive his ambition among other options.
Shekarau said, “We weighed several options after realizing that PDP has permanently crashed out as a Political Party. The choice of APC became a readily available option that my supporters agreed to join”.
He said prior to the acceptance, he consulted with his Shura Council, elders committee, Board members, and all others that matter in his movement, adding that the choice of APC was a consensus of all parties involved in decision making.
“We have fervently prayed, deliberated on our movements and made serious contacts, talked to everybody, and finally accepted and agreed to decamp to APC, which is today the best Party that cares for Nigerians”. Shekarau affirmed.
On why not the choice of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Shekarau posited that the coalition is congested with people of personal interest rather than the interest of Nigerian.
“We cannot rely on ADC, a party filled with people of personal interests, a party struggling to get its feet, a party facing huge legal problems and a Party that is having its leaders struggling for positions”.
On his part, former Senator under the opposition PDP, Bello Hayyoutu Gwarzo,, said his decision to decamp to APC alongside Shekarau was occasioned by the weakness of the opposition to take part in the recent off-season polls in Ekiti and Ondo States.
Meanwhile, Gov. Yusuf, has welcomed former Governor and Senator, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, into the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing his return as a major boost to the party’s strength in the state.
In a statement signed by the press secretary, Mustapha Mohammad, Governor Yusuf stated that a date will soon be fixed, in consultation with the national secretariat of the party, for the formal reception of the former Governor into the APC fold.
He noted that the party in Kano continues to witness growing support and consolidation, positioning itself as the most dominant political force in the state.
