The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Yobe State has received 2,025 defectors from the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The defectors were drawn from Nangere local government area of the state and received during a ceremony at Sabon Garin Nangere on Sunday by PDP leaders led by Halilu Mazagane, a member of the party’s Board of Trustees.
Mazagane said the defectors comprised 500 members from the APC, 1,300 from the ADC and 225 from the NDC.
He said the new members joined the PDP “after considering the party’s programmes and political objectives”.
“We are here to create awareness among our members as well as receive defectors into the People’s Democratic Party,” he said.
Mazagane urged the new and existing members to remain focused and avoid intimidation as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He also called on party members to conduct themselves peacefully during the electioneering period.
Mazagane said the party would focus on job creation for youths and empowerment of women if elected into office.
He urged the defectors to support the party and participate actively in its activities at the grassroots.
Mazagane, who is aspiring to represent Potiskum/Nangere Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, pledged to work for the interests of his constituents.
In her remarks, the state PDP deputy women leader, Hauwa Ahmed, urged women to participate actively in the political process.
She said women “constituted a significant proportion of voters in Nigeria and should participate fully in deciding the country’s political leadership”.
Ahmed urged women to safeguard their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) and participate in the 2027 general elections.
She also called on women to support candidates and parties whose programmes addressed their interests.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Abdullahi Hassan, pledged to mobilise more people to join the PDP.
He said they had decided to join the party after considering their political interests and expectations for development.