•Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State (C) and the defectors
The wave of defections reshaping the political landscape in Katsina State gathered further momentum yesterday evening as Governor Dikko Radda formally received politicians and supporters from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defectors, drawn from Safana Local Government Area, were presented to the governor at the Government House in Katsina 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).
Welcoming the new members at the Katsina Government House Council Chamber, Governor Radda described their decision to join the APC as a demonstration of confidence in his administration’s leadership and commitment to the development of Katsina 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.
He assured the people of Safana that his administration would continue to implement projects and programmes aimed at improving their welfare while urging both old and new party members to remain united in advancing the party’s objectives.
Presenting the defectors, Deputy Speaker Abduljalal Haruna Runka said the delegation came to formally reaffirm its loyalty to the APC and expressed appreciation to Governor Radda for 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.
Similarly, the Chairman of Safana Local Government Council, Hon. Abdullahi Sani, pledged that political stakeholders in the area would continue working together to strengthen the APC and support the Governor’s development agenda.
Speaking on behalf of the former PDP members, Umar Ya’u said Governor Radda’s fairness, inclusive style of governance and developmental achievements influenced their decision to leave the opposition.
He recalled benefiting from the state’s subsidised fertiliser programme despite being a PDP member at the time, describing the gesture as evidence of the Governor’s non-discriminatory leadership.
“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 noted that the governor’s developmental strides, coupled with the efforts of the Safana Local Government Chairman, convinced him and his supporters to embrace the APC.
Also speaking on behalf of the ADC defectors, Hon. Umme Yakubu Safana said they joined the APC because of their confidence in Governor Radda’s leadership and vision for the 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 delegation was led by Hon. Umme Yakubu Safana.
The latest defections come amid growing political realignments in Katsina State, following the recent exit of several prominent politicians from the ADC.
Among them are former Secretary to the Katsina State Government and ADC governorship aspirant, Dr. Mustapha Inuwa, who defected to the APC, and former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura, another ADC governorship aspirant, who joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), marking another significant shift ahead of the 2027 political season.
