120 PDP Supporters Defect to APC in Niger

120 PDP Supporters Defect to APC in Niger

No fewer than 120 supporters of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gulu Ward of Lapai Local Government Area, Niger State, on Saturday.

The defectors were received at the APC ward secretariat in Gulu Vatsa by Jonathan Vatsa, former Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, and a prominent member of the ruling party in Niger State. They cited the performance of State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago over the past year as their reason for leaving the PDP.

The defectors, mostly youths and women, said, “We decided to leave the opposition party and join the ruling party because the former commissioner has always identified with us despite our different political affiliations.”

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Ibrahim Liman praised the state governor for addressing security challenges and restoring peace to Gulu Vatsa after years of banditry and other criminal activities.

“Our decision to join the ruling APC was not for any material gain, but because we are happy with the governor’s performance over the last year. We appreciate the former commissioner’s consistent support for everyone in the community, regardless of party differences,” Liman said. “We will work to bring more people into the party in our community, eliminating opposition and attracting more development here.”

In response, Vatsa, who is the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Initiative, assured them they would not regret joining the ruling party in the state.

He stated, “The new Niger agenda of the governor is real and not just a mere pronouncement. We, therefore, urge other political parties in the state to adopt Governor Bago as the sole candidate for the 2027 governorship in the state because of his aggressive transformation of the state at all levels.”