In a significant political development, Sadiq Abubakar Ciroma, the former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The state Minister for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, formally received Ciroma into the APC, alongside his supporters.

The state APC chairman, Tukur Danfulani, presented Ciroma to Matawalle on Friday, marking a notable shift in the state’s political landscape. Matawalle welcomed Ciroma, describing him as a visionary politician with sound judgment, whose move to the APC would benefit the people of Zamfara. He assured Ciroma and his supporters of equal opportunities within the party, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity.

Ciroma cited the APC’s more inclusive leadership and performance in the state as the reason for his resignation from the PDP. He criticized the PDP-led government under Governor Dauda Lawal, alleging that it had neglected local communities and focused primarily on revenue collection. This perceived neglect, according to Ciroma, prompted his decision to join the APC.

However, the chairman of Kaura Namoda Local Government Council, Manir Haidara Kaura, reacted to Ciroma’s defection by alleging that he had worked against the PDP even before a recent state assembly by-election. Haidara accused Ciroma of leaking confidential party strategies and collaborating with APC stakeholders, raising questions about his loyalty to the PDP.

The defection of Ciroma, a prominent PDP figure, is expected to have significant implications for the political dynamics in Zamfara. As the APC continues to consolidate its position in the state, the PDP will need to reassess its strategy to maintain its support base. The development is also likely to influence the outcome of future elections in the state, as political alliances and allegiances continue to shift. With Ciroma’s move to the APC, the party is poised to gain more ground in Zamfara, potentially altering the state’s political landscape.