From Muawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
Three members of the House of Representatives from Katsina State, elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers are Salisu Yusuf Majigiri representing Mashi/Dutsi Federal Constituency, Ali Iliasu Rumah representing Batsari/Safana/Danmusa, and Abdullahi Balarabe Dabai of Bakori/Danja Federal Constituency.
Our correspondent reports that their defection was finalized during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to Katsina State. Sources said the three lawmakers attended a closed-door meeting presided over by Alhassan Ado Doguwa, who represents Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency of Kano State. The meeting reportedly took place at the residence of one of the PDP members in Katsina.
Following the meeting, which had all 15 House of Representatives members from Katsina State in attendance, the defectors moved to the Katsina Government House, where they held further discussions with Governor Dikko Umar Radda.
To formalize their defection, the lawmakers—accompanied by the Katsina APC Chairman, Sani Daura—visited the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.
In a letter titled “Notification of Defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress”, Salisu Yusuf Majigiri cited internal crises within the PDP as the reason for his decision to leave the party. The letter was addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.
Majigiri described the APC as a more stable political platform through which he can better serve his constituents.
