Former aspirants and candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Katsina State across House of Assembly, Chairmanship, and Councillorship positions have announced their departure from the party.
A total of 287 former aspirants have now joined the Coalition of Political Parties.
Speaking at a gathering held on Thursday in Katsina, Malam Jamilu Yahaya, Chairman of the House of Assembly Aspirants’ Forum, said the move was driven by their collective desire to effect meaningful change.
According to Yahaya, the decision followed a series of deliberations among 25 of their members, which ultimately led to their unanimous withdrawal from the PDP.
He added that while about 20 per cent of their members currently hold positions within the PDP, he was confident they would also join the coalition before the next general elections.
Yahaya assured the coalition leadership of their loyalty, noting:
“As new members, we will remain loyal and ready to join any political party the leadership resolves to be part of.”
Similarly, Alhaji Yasir Ibrahim, Chairman of the Local Government Chairmanship Aspirants’ Forum, attributed their defection to what he described as betrayal and deception within the PDP.
“We were called to contest for the position of local government chairmen, but unfortunately we were deceived by a faction of the party.
“We struggled to obtain the expression of interest forms, but to our greatest surprise, our names were not submitted to the electoral body,” he said.
Ibrahim added that the PDP no longer functions as a true opposition party in the state:
“Hence our decision to join the coalition for a stronger opposition.”
In the same vein, Malam Aminu Yunusa, Chairman of the Councillors Aspirants’ Forum, said his forum was ready to work with the coalition to help salvage the state and the country at large.
He noted that before the defection, he ensured his members numbering about 247 were on board with the decision.
Two former House of Assembly candidates under the PDP formally joined the coalition during the meeting.
Earlier in the gathering, leader of the coalition, Alhaji Mustapha Inuwa, expressed satisfaction with the new members’ decision and assured them of fair and equal treatment within the group.
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He urged patience from all members, noting that discussions were ongoing to determine the most suitable political platform for the coalition:
“Stakeholders are working tirelessly to provide the right political party for us to join,” he said.
Welcoming the defectors, Senator Ahmed Babba-Kaita commended their courage, saying:
“I know the value of the new members, and their struggle in the PDP before leaving.
“The new members were deceived by the faction of the party, therefore, their decision to join the coalition is greatly welcomed.
“The forthcoming general elections is going to be between the APC and the masses. It is not a hidden issue, nobody is doubting that Nigerians are suffering.”
