The political realignment in Katsina State has intensified as politicians and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defectors, drawn from Safana Local Government Area, were formally received by Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, at the Government House Council Chamber on Monday evening.
They were presented to the governor by the Deputy Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Abduljalal Haruna Runka, alongside the Chairman of Safana Local Government Council, Abdullahi Sani.
Welcoming the new members, Radda said their decision to join the APC reflected confidence in his administration and its development agenda.
“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 residents of Safana that his administration would continue implementing projects and programmes aimed at improving their welfare. He also urged existing and new APC members to remain united.
Runka said the defectors had reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC while appreciating the governor for development projects in Safana.
Speaking for the former PDP members, Umar Ya’u said Radda’s approach to governance influenced their decision to leave the opposition.
Ya’u cited the state’s subsidised fertiliser programme, which he said benefited him despite being a PDP member at the time, as an example of what he described as the governor’s non-discriminatory leadership.
“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 said.
The ADC defectors were led by Umme Yakubu Safana, who said they joined the APC because of their confidence in Radda’s leadership and vision for Katsina.
The latest movement comes amid wider political realignments in the state ahead of the 2027 elections.
Former Katsina State Secretary to the Government and ADC governorship aspirant, Mustapha Inuwa, recently defected to the APC, while former Director-General of the Department of State Services, Lawal Daura, another ADC governorship aspirant, joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The latest defections further reshape the political landscape in Katsina as parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 political season.
