Alhaji Bala Roka, the immediate past ward chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State, has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) along with over 3000 supporters.
This was made known on Thursday in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by a former governorship aspirant of the APC in Zamfara State, Aminu Sani Jaji,
Jaji said the former ward chairman led the decampees to the APC two days after the Supreme Court affirmed Governor Bello Matawalle as the duly elected governor of the state.
According to him, among those who left the PDP are the immediate past ward chairman of Governor Matawalle’s ward Bala Roka, publicity secretary of the PDP in Maradun LGA, Engr. Abubakar Sadiq; chairman, Kaya ward, Namadi Abubakar; PDP executive council member, Nasiru Rabiu; and other wards chairmen from Kaura Namoda LGA.
The 2019 governorship aspirant who was aslo represented his federal constituency in the 8th House of Reps, said he personally received the decampees from across all wards of the two local government areas of Maradun and Kaura Namoda.
Jaji said the APC is delighted to receive the new members and groups joining the party, and that their defection shows that the grassroots people are not happy with the administration of the PDP in the state.
“We are happy to receive these grassroots politicians into our fold. We congratulate them for taking this bold decision, they have realized that APC is the best party to be in, I assure you that the APC will bounce back in 2023,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the decampees according to the statement, a youth leader of Banga ward, Yusuf Dalibi, said they decided to dump the ruling party in the state because the governor is insincere about their problems.
He added they also left because of the outstanding performance of Hon Jaji, especially how he helps people of the state.
“Even when we were in PDP, he doesn’t differentiate between us, he carried everyone around, and we happy to be with him. We are ready to work for him and the party to ensure victory in the entire 16 wards of Kaura Namoda in next election,” he said.
“We know how he was able to pay all the NEPA bills of everyone when he was serving as chairman of the local government. We assure you that we will give you all the necessary support and we would continue to pray for you to succeed.”
Meanwhile, the speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Collins Chiji has dumped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He defected to APC alongside Seven other lawmakers.
This is coming after Imo PDP chairman, Charles Ezekwem resigned from the party and joined the ruling party, APC.