No fewer than about 300 former members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
The ceremony, held at the UBE Primary School Tudunwada in Tunga Minna on Saturday, April 27, 2024, saw the reception of over 300 former PDP members (decampees) from the main opposition political party in the state by the Political Adviser to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago on Political Matters, Alhaji Nma Kolo.
He noted that the APC, as the ruling party, will continue to welcome everyone regardless of their political affiliations to achieve the desired success of the party in subsequent elections.
Nma Kolo expressed optimism that the APC’s policy is to attract people to the party to enhance the solid foundation already established.
He emphasized that the APC’s policy is to give equal rights to both old and new members who embrace the party, in the overall interest of the state and its people.
The Political Adviser pointed out that the influx of people into the APC is an indication of good governance by the incumbent Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, who he said has distinguished himself in executing people-oriented projects barely a few months after assuming office as the Executive Governor of the State.
Nma Kolo appreciated the foresight of the decampees for associating with the government of Umaru Bago and the APC, urging them to continue giving the party their unalloyed support by mobilizing more people to join the APC.
He immediately directed the Special Adviser on Women Mobilization, Mrs Mary Noel Barje, to hold a meeting on Monday, April 29, 2024, with the women and the Commissioner for Small and Medium Enterprises, Mrs Elizabeth Shaba, to compile data on all the women at the venue to benefit from various government programs on women initiated by Governor Umaru Bago.
Speaking on behalf of the former PDP members in the state who have defected to the ruling party both at the state and federal levels, Honorable Kevin Umar, who left PDP to join APC along with his followers at Tudunwada Minna, appreciated the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters for officially receiving them. He described Alhaji Nma Kolo as Niger State’s political encyclopedia and strategist.
Kevin Umar disclosed that over 300 women and youth from various political parties, particularly PDP, have decided to follow in his footsteps because of the love they have for him. He noted that most of the women are entrepreneurs of no means repute who need a little empowerment to be self-reliant and sustainable in their various endeavours, aiming to cushion the present economic hardships in the country and motivate more members to join the APC.
Meanwhile, Kevin Umar had previously worked with an American-based corporation, an American Agricultural firm based in Texas, US, in 1988 to 1989, and established late Lt. General M. I. Wushshi farms at Lokogoma before joining politics in 1996.
He specifically joined the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) and NCPN, served in various capacities, joined PDP in 1998, and has been a notable figure in the politics of the state, especially within Minna and its environs.
ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
