Jigawa gov tears defectors’ PDP membership playing cards, opposition social gathering calls for apology

Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, has figuratively torn the membership playing cards of defectors from the Individuals’s Democratic Party whereas welcoming them to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The gesture, accompanied by sturdy remarks from Namadi, was seen as a blow to the PDP’s relevance within the state.

Talking whereas receiving defectors from the Dutse metropolis at a mini occasion held in his official residence on the Authorities Home, Dutse, on Monday night, the governor acknowledged that the PDP’s reputation had considerably declined, with lots of its members already becoming a member of the APC.

Namadi mentioned, “Everyone knows that there’s virtually no PDP left in Jigawa. As you be a part of us within the APC, we imagine the remainder of your colleagues nonetheless there’ll quickly observe.”

He assured the defectors that they might be absolutely built-in into the APC’s construction and handled equally.

“We promise to hold you alongside identical to each different APC member. APC is a celebration of equality and function,” he mentioned.

Earlier, talking on behalf of the defectors, Nasir Alhassan thanked Namadi for the nice and cozy reception.

Alhassan revealed that about 500 members had left the PDP to affix the APC to contribute to the event of Jigawa State.

He mentioned their determination to defect was pushed by the PDP’s poor management and lack of course.

“We have been uninterested in the PDP’s management disaster and stagnation,” he acknowledged.

He additional famous that, for now, the APC gave the impression to be in management, with Namadi’s management and recognition enjoying a big position within the social gathering’s rising power.

Nevertheless, the Jigawa State PDP Chairman, Ali Diginsa, dismissed the defection claims, stating the social gathering was unaware of any such motion.

Talking through a phone interview with The PidomNigeria on Monday night, Diginsa expressed shock, difficult the credibility of the claimed defectors.

He additionally questioned the rationale behind becoming a member of the APC.

“Given the present state of affairs within the nation, no critical and wise individual would think about becoming a member of the APC,” he mentioned.

Diginsa criticised Namadi’s motion of tearing the PDP membership playing cards, describing it as inappropriate and unbefitting of a sitting governor.

“That behaviour is just not politics. A governor mustn’t interact in such conduct, particularly contemplating the PDP’s stature as one in every of Africa’s main political events,” he mentioned.

He highlighted the PDP’s legacy, noting its historical past of manufacturing presidents, governors, senators, and federal lawmakers.

“As soon as a member of the PDP, there’s at all times an inclination to return,” he mentioned, citing examples corresponding to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Diginsa additionally demanded an apology from Namadi, saying the membership playing cards have been symbols of id and dedication.

“Tearing our members’ playing cards is a private assault on their dignity and a desecration of the social gathering’s image,” he added.