By Kawaekwune Jeffrey
Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris has formally welcomed Alhaji Bello Layya, the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Argungu Local Government Area, who defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) along with 1,500 supporters.
Among those who defected are all the local ward chairmen, youth leader, women leader, and former House of Representatives member Garba Musa-Gulma.
The new members were received during the APC Zonal Campaign Rally in Argungu on Monday. Governor Idris, represented by his Deputy, Sen. Umar Abubakar-Tafida, expressed his delight at the significant number of defections from the opposition party, seeing it as a reflection of the people’s confidence in the APC-led administration.
Governor Idris attributed the surge in APC membership to the progress achieved in education, healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure development within just one year of the party’s leadership in the state. He urged the electorate to turn out in large numbers to vote for APC candidates in the upcoming local government elections, emphasizing the importance of maintaining decorum and respecting the rule of law during the polls.
APC Kebbi State Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Kana-Zuru, announced that the zonal rally marked the beginning of a comprehensive campaign that would extend to every local government, ward, polling unit, and household. He called on the electorate to vote overwhelmingly for APC, promising that such support would bring more developmental projects to their communities.
Key figures, including former Deputy Governor Alhaji Bello Dantani and Rep. Garba Rabi’u-Kamba, highlighted the accomplishments of the current administration and assured voters that these achievements would continue if the APC is re-elected.
The campaign entourage also paid homage to the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Muhammadu Sama’ila-Mera, who urged politicians to unite for the peace, progress, and socioeconomic development of Kebbi State. Governor Idris thanked the Emir for his guidance and assured him of the administration’s commitment to working closely with traditional institutions for the state’s betterment.
