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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has gained more members following the defection of four lawmakers from the Kaduna State House of Assembly and five members from the House of Representatives, along with thousands of their supporters at a mega rally held on Saturday.
With these recent defections, the APC now comprises 13 legislators from Kaduna State in the House of Representatives, leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with just three. Additionally, there are now 26 APC members in the House of Assembly compared to eight PDP members.
The mega rally, which took place at Murtala Square in Kaduna, was attended by APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Abbas Lawal, along with the Chairman of the North West Development Commission, Alhaji Lawal Samaila Yakawada, and several thousand APC supporters.
During the event, Governor Uba Sani assured the new members that the APC is a united family that does not discriminate against its members, stating, “Those who have joined our party today and those who have been with us since its inception will enjoy the same privileges.”
He emphasized, “What matters most is your ability to connect with the grassroots and to include everyone, particularly the constituents who elected you and entrusted you with their representation.”
The Governor recalled that the APC had only four members in the House of Representatives in 2023, but the party now boasts 14 members in the lower legislative chamber.
“Today in Kaduna, we have no opposition. I promised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a few months ago that we were aiming for 80 percent of the votes. However, I have adjusted my expectations; about 95 percent of the total votes in Kaduna State will go to APC in 2027,” he stated.
He explained that the influx of elected officials into the APC in Kaduna State is not complicated, but rather a result of his administration's commitment to justice, fairness, and inclusivity.
“We are functioning as one family. We believe politics should foster unity and serve the interests of the people. Poverty does not discriminate based on religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation. We must work together as one family, prioritizing our state’s interests,” he concluded.
The Governor highlighted that Kaduna State consists of 23 local governments, and he has distributed development initiatives across all three geopolitical zones.
Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Nentawe referred to the APC as “the promised land” for Nigerian politicians, asserting that both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani deserve a second term due to their accomplishments.
House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas noted that the APC has achieved political dominance in Kaduna State, a milestone that no other party has reached in the area.
“Today, whether in Zone 1, Zone 2, or Zone 3, the APC is the party to beat,” he declared to the large crowd, adding, “We’ve never been this strong before.”
Honourable Husseini Jalo, speaking on behalf of the new members, expressed gratitude to Governor Sani and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their exemplary leadership in the country and the state, respectively.
He stated that Kaduna State has now become a one-party state and predicted that both the President and Governor Uba Sani will be re-elected for a second term.
The federal legislators who defected from the PDP to the APC include Hon Sadiq Ango, representing the Sabon Gari federal constituency, Hon Abdulkarim Husseini Ahmad (Kaduna South), Hon Aliyu Mustapha Abdullahi (Ikara/Kubau), and Hussaini Jalo (Igabi).
Additionally, notable defectors include former Senator Danjuma Lah (PDP), former Senator Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi (NNPP), former Senator Shehu Sani (PDP), and former Governor Muktar Ramalan Yero, along with Hon Saidu Adamu, the State Secretary of the PDP.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main outcome of the recent APC rally in Kaduna?
The rally resulted in the defection of several lawmakers from other parties to the APC, significantly increasing the party's representation in both the House of Representatives and the House of Assembly in Kaduna State.
Who were some notable figures present at the APC rally?
Notable figures included APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and Minister of Environment Alhaji Balarabe Abbas Lawal, among others.
What did Governor Uba Sani emphasize in his speech?
Governor Uba Sani emphasized the importance of unity within the APC and the need to connect with grassroots constituents, highlighting the party's commitment to justice, fairness, and inclusivity.
