The political realignment in Katsina State has gained further momentum following the defection of politicians and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Dikko Radda formally received the defectors at the Katsina State Government House on Monday evening.
The new APC members, who were drawn from Safana Local Government Area, were presented to the governor by the Deputy Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abduljalal Haruna Runka, alongside the Chairman of Safana Local Government Council, Hon. Abdullahi Sani (Brazil).
Receiving the defectors at the Government House Council Chamber, Radda described their decision to join the APC as an indication of their confidence in his administration and its development agenda for the state.
“We are happy to receive you into the APC. Your decision demonstrates your confidence in our leadership and commitment to the development of Katsina State,” the governor said.
Radda assured residents of Safana that his administration would continue to execute projects and programmes aimed at improving their welfare.
He also called on existing and new members of the party to maintain unity and work towards achieving the APC’s objectives in the state.
Speaking during the presentation of the defectors, Deputy Speaker Runka said the delegation had come to formally reaffirm its allegiance to the APC.
He also commended the governor for what he described as the numerous development projects executed across Safana Local Government Area.
“We appreciate His Excellency for the support and development projects his administration has brought to our people. We assure him of our continued support and loyalty,” he stated.
The Chairman of Safana Local Government Council, Abdullahi Sani, also pledged the continued cooperation of political stakeholders in the area in strengthening the APC and supporting the governor’s development agenda.
Speaking on behalf of the former PDP members, Umar Ya’u attributed their decision to leave the opposition party to Radda’s perceived fairness, inclusive governance and developmental achievements.
Ya’u recalled that he benefited from the state government’s subsidised fertiliser programme while he was still a PDP member, describing the initiative as an example of the governor’s non-partisan approach to governance.
“I was surprised when I was told that I was among those who would receive government-subsidised fertiliser, even though I was then a member of the opposition PDP,” Umar Ya’u said.
He said the administration’s development efforts, alongside the contributions of the Safana Local Government chairman, influenced his decision and that of his supporters to join the APC.
Also speaking for the ADC defectors, Hon. Umme Yakubu Safana said they joined the ruling party because of their confidence in Radda’s leadership and vision for Katsina State.
“We are happy to join the APC and become one family. We are ready to work with other party members and support the development of Katsina State,” he said.
The PDP delegation was led by Hon. Yahaya Abubakar (Dan Area), while the ADC group was led by Hon. Umme Yakubu Safana.
The latest defections come amid continuing political realignments in Katsina State ahead of the 2027 elections.
Several prominent politicians have recently moved away from the ADC, including former Secretary to the Katsina State Government and ADC governorship aspirant, Dr Mustapha Inuwa, who joined the APC.
Former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura, another ADC governorship aspirant, also recently moved to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), marking another significant political shift in the state ahead of the 2027 political season.