From Rashidat Suleiman, Minna
The legislator reprsenting Edati Constituency Hon. Ahmed Mohammed , at the Niger State House of Assembly, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The legislator made his defection public during the House plenary on Tuesday. He stated that extensive consultation and discussion were pivotal in his decision to switch parties.
He cited fragmentation within the PDP, especially at the national level, as a key reason for his departure. “This fragmentation has made it increasingly difficult to foster unity and advance the collective interest of our people. Just last month, in January, top party functionaries met and ended up physically fighting themselves due to the stated factions,” he said.
Ahmed Mohammed added that irreconcilable differences at the national level influenced his decision to quit the PDP before similar issues emerged at the state level.
The lawmaker, who is also the Chairman of the Standing House Committee on Transport, highlighted the leadership style of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and the governor’s focus on infrastructural development as additional reasons for joining the APC.
When asked if he had betrayed the people who voted for him on the PDP platform, Ahmed responded that while the decision was painful for his supporters, he had consulted with them before taking action. “Some of my key players from PDP, when I informed them of my defection, are here with us for solidarity. We will still go back and discuss with them; they will all defect,” he asserted.
He added that he expects nothing less than 10,000 of his supporters to leave the PDP from his constituency and join the ruling APC.
He expressed excitement about the warm reception he received from his fellow lawmakers and officials of the ruling APC during the announcement of his defection.