By Umar Akilu Majeri, Dutse
As political tensions rise ahead of the 2027 general elections, no fewer than 289 members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have officially defected to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Sakwaya Ward, Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State, including 273 women and 16 men.
The defection event took place on Friday at the PDP ward office, with the party’s deputy state chairman, Hon. Umar Danjani, representing the state chairman to welcome the decampees.
Speaking while addressing the decampees during the event, the Jigawa State PDP deputy chairman, Hon. Umar Danjani, praised the large turnout of prominent opposition members across Jigawa State who attended the occasion, describing the defection as a significant boost to the party’s strength and unity in the run-up to the elections.
The deputy chairman of PDP reiterated the party’s openness and readiness to support the newcomers as they integrate fully into PDP’s activities and promised to intensify grassroots mobilization and inclusiveness ahead of the 2027 elections.
He also urged all political actors in Jigawa to engage peacefully and uphold democratic values as preparations for the 2027 elections gain momentum.
Hon. Danjani pledged that the party would provide all the necessary support to the new members to ensure their smooth integration, assuring that, “We welcome you with open arms and promise to work tirelessly to address your concerns as we build a stronger Jigawa together.”
According to him, “Our doors are always open to anyone committed to the progress of Jigawa. With your addition, we are closer to achieving a united front that will bring lasting development to the state.”
In his address at the occasion, Alhaji Mamuda Sakwaya, a prominent PDP stalwart and ward leader, expressed his delight with the influx of new members. “We warmly receive our brothers and sisters from APC who’ve chosen to join the true party of the people. This is a milestone for PDP in Sakwaya and Jigawa State at large,” he said.
The event emphasised the PDP’s growing influence at ward and grassroots levels, seen as crucial for electoral success in the heartland.
He further stressed that the PDP remains committed to addressing the needs of Jigawa citizens and welcoming sincere political actors into its fold.
Earlier, Mrs. Harira Sa’adu Sakwaya, the leader of the defectors and wife of the APC ward chairman, openly regretted her previous political alignment. “Joining APC was a disappointment for us,” she stated. “We are grateful to Sule Lamido, who has done so much for Sakwaya and the women here—things we cannot repay.”
Mrs. Harira Sa’adu Sakwaya also lamented the APC’s failure to meet the expectations of its members, saying the party’s leadership let them down and pushed many to seek a better political future within the PDP.
While highlighting more on the composition of the new defectors, Mrs. Sakwaya stated that the defection included 273 women and 16 men from across varied nooks and crannies of the ward, adding that, “This is a significant shift in political allegiance within the ward.”
Our correspondent reports that during the ceremony, a number of speeches were featured from several opposition leaders from across the state who pledged to work together for Jigawa’s progress.
