From Joseph Asegba, Yola
The Adamawa State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Engr. Belmont Dogo, has dismissed concerns over the alleged defection of 21 local government chairmen and 226 councillors who were elected on the party’s platform.
Speaking on the development, Dogo described politics as a game of interests, saying the council leaders had decided they were no longer interested in remaining in the PDP.
He insisted that the alleged mass defection would not weaken the party, maintaining that the PDP remained positioned to contest and win the forthcoming elections.
Dogo recalled that Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri won the 2019 governorship election without a single PDP local government chairman or councillor, yet emerged as governor of Adamawa State.
He argued that the party was even better positioned today, adding that the defections had compelled its leadership to review its strategy and strengthen its political operations.
The PDP chairman also dismissed suggestions that the party might be unable to field candidates, declaring that the party and its candidate, Chief Dr. Maurice Vunolki, were prepared for the elections.
“Defection in politics is normal, and this doesn’t touch the party’s political structures across the 21 local governments,” Dogo stated.
He added that the defections had only served as motivation for the party to intensify its efforts ahead of the swearing-in.
“We are certainly going to win, God willing. We have what it takes,” he said.
Dogo urged PDP supporters across Adamawa State to remain calm, ignore distractions arising from the defections and stay focused on the forthcoming elections.
He assured them that the party would continue to pursue its political objectives despite the development.
The chairman also recalled a statement by the PDP governorship candidate, who reportedly argued that the 21 local government chairmen and 226 councillors elected on the party’s platform owed their positions to the support of grassroots party members.
He maintained that the alleged defections would not erase the contributions of those supporters or automatically dismantle the party’s structures across the state.
