A former Niger State Deputy Governor and erstwhile Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Southern Africa, Ambassador Ahmed Musa Ibeto, and two other ranking members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
The two other party chieftains defected with him to APC from PDP are: Ibrahim Ebo, former member House of Representatives, representing Lapai/ Agaie Federal Constituency; and Abubakar Azozo, former Niger state Commissioner for Water Resources.
Ibeto, while addressing newsmen at the state Secretary of APC in Minna on Tuesday, said he was motivated by the leadership style of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, providing purposeful leadership in the state, saying that APC is his house and he is back at home.
He however maintained that he was also encouraged by the Governor’s wisdom of providing succur and relief to the poor and vulnerable in Niger State, stressing that many people including their followers from other political parties are on their way defecting to APC.
Asked whether he was promised any monetary reward or political appointment for joining the ruling party, Ambassador Ibeto said no, adding that the decision was based on his personal conviction because all the problems that forced him out of APC before, were now absent in the current Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago-led administration.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser on Political and Strategy to the Niger State Governor, Malam Mohammed Nma Kolo, explained that the style of leadership, coupled with good governance is what has been attracting many people to APC in the state, stressing that they have so far received many and more are still on their way coming to the party, courtesy of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.
On alleged misunderstanding between the state Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago and the APC Deputy Chairman, North Central zone, Alhaji Muazu Bawa, the aide described the allegation as baseless, unfounded, and misleading because members of APC in the state are one united family, assuring that there is no crack in the party.
State Chairman of APC in Niger State, Alhaji Aminu Musa Bobi, apart from calling for useful suggestions from the new members to move the APC forward, also informed them that the party has began compiling a database for all political appointees in the state to make them answerable and accessible to their people at the grassroots level.
The state chairman thereby barred APC members from going on air to challenge the party as there are appropriate channels to do so, warning that anyone found violating the order shall be made to face the full wrath of the law.
Meanwhile, all the three defectors have presented their letters of resignation from PDP at the ward level to the state chapter of their new party, APC.
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