A Former Kano State Governor and Senator representing Kano Central senatorial district at the National Assembly, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau has defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, to the Peoples Democratic Party ,PDP.
Senator Shekarau made the declaration at his Mundubawa residence in Bompai quarters in Kano state north Western Nigeria.
He said his action is based on his belief and the need for restoration of ” justice, equity and fairness in the political system of the country, which is evident in the PDP”.
He stressed that his choice of the PDP was also based on the notion that the party’s Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar is the only one among other political party candidates that can sumount challenges facing the country.
“Atiku is the only one man that has the capability to rescue Nigeria and I will mobilize all my supporters to ensure he wins,” said Shekarau.
He said notification has been given to all concerned about his defection to the new party, right from ward level up, including the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Shekarau was already a senatorial candidate for Kano central under the NNPP before defecting to PDP.
The National Chairman of PDP, Iyorcha Ayu said with Shekarau joining the party, fortunes of the party will swell in the 2023 general election, describing him as a beautiful bride that he has been courting since assuming the party’s chairmanship position.
“Since I became the national chairman of the party, one of my greatest ambition was to ensure that Shekaru, a team player and a decendant of the Mallam Aminu Kano political dynasty returns to the PDP and now it’s a success story.
“Forces have been trying to destroy the party but no one can destroy it. We will never be distracted. We are going to win Kano and win in all parts of Nigeria. Our party is getting united because we believe everyone in PDP is important,” he said.
The PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar commended Senator Shekarau for joining the party describing him as “a man of honour with good Pedigree to work with.”
The Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP and incumbent governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa said Shekarau joined the PDP because he saw hope in the party to rescue Nigeria from it’s challenges
“We are in the state of division in the country, we have security, educational challenges among others and these are not good for our nation.
“Come 2023, we will deliver in the North, South, East and West as demonstrated during the Osun state election and the spate of decamping to PDP witnessed in Daura, Ogun among others.
“The suffering of the people will soon be over because Atiku will become the president, so do not lose hope, things will be okay again,” said Okowa
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Namadi Sambo described Shekarau as an asset to the party and a forth right person to work with based on previous experiences.
“In Kano, if you are talking politics, Shekarau is the good man to work with. He is a straight forward person since I know him,’ he added.
The chairman of the PDP governor’s forum and governor of Sokoto state, Waziri Tambuwal appreciated Shekarau’s entrance to the part urging everyone to join the the party.
“Let us join hands with PDP to rescue and reposition Nigeria,” he said.
Many big wigs of the PDP from across the country were in attendance to receive Shekarau whose political voyage has cross crossed, the ANPP, PDP, APC and NNPP since 1999.
Meanwhile, Atiku at the event donated N50 million naira to victims of flood disaster in the Kanti Kware textile market in Kano to cushion the effects.
N.O