Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, has stirred controversy after symbolically tearing the membership cards of defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during a welcome ceremony into the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The mini event, held at the Governor’s official residence in Dutse on Monday evening, marked the defection of about 500 PDP members into the APC.
Speaking at the gathering, Governor Namadi declared, “We all know that there is almost no PDP left in Jigawa. As you join us in the APC, we believe the rest of your colleagues still there will soon follow.”
Namadi further assured the new members of full inclusion, saying, “We promise to carry you along just like every other APC member. APC is a party of equality and purpose.”
Leading the defectors, Nasir Alhassan stated their move was prompted by frustration over the PDP’s leadership struggles. “We were tired of the PDP’s leadership crisis and stagnation,” he said. “With Namadi’s leadership, the APC now appears firmly in control.”
However, the PDP swiftly pushed back. The state party chairman, Ali Diginsa, denied knowledge of any official defections and criticized the governor’s action. “That behaviour is not politics. A governor should not engage in such conduct, especially considering the PDP’s stature as one of Africa’s major political parties,” he said in a phone interview with The PUNCH.
Diginsa demanded an apology, calling the act a personal affront. “Tearing our members’ cards is a personal attack on their dignity and a desecration of the party’s symbol,” he added.
