The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State has said that the combined political strength of Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and former Governor Abdul’aziz Yari is steadily shrinking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state as many members continue to defect to the ruling party.
This follows recent mass defections of PDP officials and supporters who joined the APC, citing confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s leadership and the renewed hope agenda.
During a reception ceremony held in Abuja, Matawalle welcomed fifteen senior PDP members from Zamfara who switched allegiance to the APC. He described their defection as a significant boost for the party ahead of future elections, saying that the APC remains the only platform capable of ensuring sustainable progress. “We will continue to open our doors to everyone ready to support the development of Zamfara and Nigeria,” he said.
The Minister assured the defectors of fair treatment and equal opportunities within the party, emphasizing that the APC under Tinubu’s leadership stands for inclusiveness and national growth. Matawalle also praised the efforts of the state APC chairman, Tukur Umar Danfulani, and Senator Tijjani Yahaya Kaura for their role in strengthening the party’s grassroots structure. “This is a new beginning for Zamfara politics; we are uniting our people and making sure the state stays on the path of peace and progress,” he added.
Reports indicate that over 24,000 PDP members across six local government areas have recently joined the APC, further weakening the opposition in the state. The defectors included former PDP executives, youth leaders, and elders. According to the APC leadership, the defections demonstrate growing dissatisfaction with the PDP’s internal crises and leadership challenges.
Former Governor Yari also expressed optimism about the state’s political direction, stating that the APC was now more united than ever. “What we are seeing today is the collapse of the PDP structure in Zamfara. The people are tired of empty promises. They want results, and that is what the APC is delivering,” he said.
Meanwhile, the PDP Elders Forum in the North West accused Matawalle of using influence and promises of appointments to attract members from their party. However, APC leaders dismissed the allegation, insisting that the defections were voluntary and motivated by the visible achievements of the current administration. The ruling party maintained that the ongoing realignments were proof of the APC’s growing popularity and the gradual erosion of the PDP’s influence in Zamfara.