No fewer than 1,000 political leaders and members of opposition parties in Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State on Monday formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Our correspondent reports that the defectors, drawn from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Labour Party (LP), were received at a ceremony held in Lubo community by the member representing Yamaltu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Inuwa Garba, alongside the APC Chairman in the council, Adamu Lambam.
Addressing supporters during the event, the Chairman of the SDP in Yamaltu-Deba, Malam Tasiu Isa, explained that the decision to join the APC was informed by what he described as the party’s commitment to good governance at both the state and federal levels.
Isa said the leadership of Governor Muhammadu Yahaya and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had delivered tangible benefits to the people through various developmental projects.
“We the executives of the SDP from this LG and all the ward executives are joining the APC today and we are more than 500 officials,” Isa stated. “If we join our supporters and members, then we will be talking of thousands of SDP members; we are convinced that APC is the party to be because the party has good governance as evidence.”
He further commended Rep. Garba for what he described as a people-focused style of representation, noting that his efforts were complementing those of the state governor.
Also speaking, the Labour Party Chairman in Yamaltu/Deba, Mohammed Hinna, described the move as a patriotic step for leaders who genuinely desire progress for the country.
According to Hinna, the achievements of President Tinubu and Governor Yahaya made it increasingly difficult for committed political actors to remain in opposition.
“Joining APC remained the best option for any patriotic Nigeria who wants to see a better future for the country,” he said. “With the efforts of President Tinubu and Yahaya, it would be difficult to remain in opposition, if you truly a political leader that has the love of the people at heart.”
Welcoming the defectors, APC Chairman in the local government, Adamu Lambam, said the party had continued to witness an influx of members due to what he termed impressive governance at the grassroots.
He assured the new entrants of equal opportunities within the party, stressing that the APC would keep its doors open to more opposition figures willing to align with its vision.
“APC is the people’s party because of the developmental strides of Tinubu, Inuwa and Garba,” Lambam said.
In his remarks, Rep. Garba expressed confidence that the defection had significantly weakened the structure of opposition parties in the area, describing it as a positive development for the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“With the defection, the structure of opposition parties in the council has been weakened and this is good for APC ahead of 2027,” he said.
Garba added that the performances of President Tinubu and Governor Yahaya would make it easier for the party to campaign once the ban on political campaigns is lifted in August.
He urged party members to remain united and intensify grassroots mobilisation by highlighting what he called the numerous achievements of the President and the governor.
